Premier Iemma puts limits on e-democracy
Premier Morris Iemma revealed another ugly side of the NSW government this week when his office threatened to charge one of the state’s peak environment groups for organising an email protest. He seems to have forgotten what it means to be an elected representative. People have a right to contact you.
Premier Morris Iemma revealed another ugly side of the NSW government this week when his office threatened to charge one of the state’s peak environment groups for organising an email protest. He seems to have forgotten what it means to be an elected representative. People have a right to contact you.
The irony of this story is that the National Parks Association, in initiating this campaign was supporting the Premier’s decision to create an expanded environment ministry.
The Premier’s original plan was for responsibility for the protection of native vegetation, private native forests, all threatened species, marine parks, the coast and rivers to go to Mr Phil Koperberg in his new role as Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Water.
NPA organised the email campaign when it became clear that some government ministers – Michael Costa, Ian Macdonald and Tony Kelly – were hell bent on stopping these plans.
Although the Premier’s office has foolishly blocked emails coming via the NPA’s electronic campaign the lobbying efforts have largely been successful. More than a thousand individuals, NPA, other environment groups and the Greens have helped ensure what had been a good news story when the Premier announced his new ministry did not turn sour. The new super environment ministry has largely remained intact.
The only downside is that Minister Koperberg does not have sole responsibility for the Marine Parks Act. He now jointly administers this with the Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald, who looks after fisheries.
This is a setback, as going on his past performance Minister Macdonald will work against the management of ocean sanctuaries being consistent with terrestrial national parks.
The Premier clearly has some tidy up to do after this saga. He needs to provide leadership and work towards Minister Koperberg administering marine parks on his own.
And Mr Iemma needs to clean up his office protocols with regard to people contacting him and his Ministers. People have a right to send an email to an elected representative. The threats to charge NPA were way out of line and clearly not possible under the Spam Act as it specifically recognises people’s political rights. Section 44 of the legislation reads: "This Act does not apply to the extent (if any) that it would infringe any constitutional doctrine of implied freedom of political communication."
Premier Iemma strayed into in dangerous waters with his decision to block the protest emails. NPA deserves an apology. He needs to remember he was elected to govern NSW not dictate who can write to him and who can’t.
