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Govt and Shooters vote to keep Game Council's finances under wraps
Tuesday 08 September 2009
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon has criticised the government for not supporting a Greens motion in the Upper House that would require the public release of the NSW Game Council's 30 year strategic plan and five year business plan. Minister Ian Macdonald also refused to answer Ms Rhiannon during Question Time as to why the Game Council had consistently failed to meet is annual reporting obligations, instead taking it on notice.
"The Game Council's strategic and business plans should be released so the public can scrutinise whether it is worth continuing to throw millions at a body that is effectively the bureaucratic arm of the Shooters Party," Ms Rhiannon said.
"The Minister responsible for the Game Council, Mr Ian Macdonald, has thrown a blanket over these critical documents, claiming they are 'commercial in confidence'. Last week he promised to discuss their release with the Game Council, but the plans remain secret.
"The debt ridden Game Council has received more than $11 million in public funding and millions in loans since it was established in 2002, despite a commitment from Labor that it would be self-funding.
"The NSW Auditor General has for a number of years expressed concern about the Game Council's financial health and its ability to ensure its ongoing financial viability.
"The Cabinet Standing Committee on the requested the development of a business plan because of ongoing concern about the Council's financial situation.
"Good government thrives on accountability and transparency. Premier Rees claims 'the days of the secret state are over' but it continues when it comes to the affairs of the Game Council.
"The Council has been propped up by increasing levels of government funding, from $1.25 million in 2002/2003 to a peak of $3.52 million in 2007/2008.
"The Treasurer approved $5 million dollars in NSW Tcorp loans between 2004/2005 and 2006/2007, $2 million of which the government stepped in to pay off last year.
"The public should be able to scrutinise the Council's future plans and financial affairs to decide whether the Game Council is an acceptable drain on the public purse and if it is not - whether it should be shut down," Ms Rhiannon said.
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