A motion passed today in the Legislative Council has provided critical references in five different areas to the joint parliamentary committees that underpin the work of State Parliament.

Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council David Davis said the references would allow Victorians to speak their mind on key issues of concern, including violent crime, taxation, public housing waiting lists, environmental approvals and Labor’s new growth areas tax.

The Outer Suburban/Interface Services and Development Committee will examine the Brumby Government’s sudden changes to the urban growth boundary without proper consultation, the urban growth boundary’s impact on the environment and the damaging impact on individual landholders of the Government’s new growth areas tax.

The reference to the Environment and Natural Resources Committee seeks to reform the Government’s chaotic, costly and flawed environment effects statement process.

The reference to the Family and Community Development Committee will shine a spotlight on the concerns of the 40,000 Victorians on public housing waiting lists, examine the impact on families and individuals and force John Brumby to explain why so many people are waiting an unacceptably long time for public housing.

The Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee will look at violent crime in Victoria including the impact of violent crime on vulnerable groups, migrants, overseas students and the elderly, and the Government’s falsification of crime statistics.

The Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee reference is also important. It will look at taxation levels and recent taxation increases and their impact on Victoria’s development, competitiveness, sustainability, employment and job creation, as well as small businesses.

“These references are sensible, practical and timely and will enable issues where the Brumby Government has stifled or manipulated public opinion to be put under the microscope,” Mr Davis said.

“Labor’s out-of-touch attitude was revealed during the debate on these references when the Government removed reference to violent crime or police station closures in the Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee reference.

“This shows that John Brumby has failed to notice the epidemic of violent attacks in Victoria and even appears to be afraid of the words ‘violent crime’,” Mr Davis said.

 

 

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL – JOINT INVESTIGATORY COMMITTEES REFERENCES

That pursuant to the Parliamentary Committees Act 2003, the undermentioned committees be required to inquire into, consider and report on the following:

(1) Outer Suburban/Interface Services and Development Committee

The impact of the State Government’s decision to change the urban growth boundary on land-holders and the environment and plans announced by the government to introduce an increased development contribution for land in designated growth areas, including –

(a) the likely quantum of the collections by government;

(b) mechanisms to ensure the contributions are directed only to the intended purposes;

(c) the likely impact on the housing and development industries;

(d) any unintended consequences including the impact on all land-holders and purchasers to be impacted;

(e) any displacement or replacement of Government spending likely to result from the increased collections; and

(f) any alternative options, including any used in other jurisdictions;

and to report by 30 November 2009.

(2) Environment and Natural Resources Committee

The environmental effects statement process in Victoria, including the operation of the Environment Effects Act 1978, and in particular –

(a) any weaknesses in the current system including poor environmental outcomes, excessive costs and unnecessary delays encountered through the process and its mechanisms;

(b) community and industry consultation under the act;

(c) the independence of environmental effects examination when government is the proponent; and

(d) how better environmental outcomes can be achieved more quickly and predictably and with a reduction in unnecessary costs;

and to report by 30 August 2010.

(3) Family and Community Development Committee

The adequacy and future directions of public housing in Victoria, including –

(a) public housing waiting lists in Victoria;

(b) the impact on individuals and families of waiting times to access public housing and how this varies by each segment;

(c) the adequacy, quality and standards of Victorian public housing;

(d) the safety and location of Victorian public housing and public housing estates; and

(e) the impact of public housing need on specific groups, including women, seniors, the homeless, indigenous Victorians, refugees, people with a mental illness, substance abuse and/or disability;

and to report by 30 September 2010.

(4) Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee

Strategies to reduce crime against the person in Victoria and, in particular —

(a) the level, nature and incidence of crimes against the person in Victoria and the trends in recent years;

(b) the impact of these crimes on vulnerable groups, migrants, overseas students and the elderly;

(c) strategies to address these crimes and reduce their incidence and increase the apprehension and conviction of offenders;

(d) the role of community policing and local community organisations; and

(e) the level of police resources in Victoria and their distribution throughout the State;

and to report by 30 August 2010.”.

(5) Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee

The impact and effectiveness of increased State Government taxation (including land tax, payroll tax, stamp duties, State Government taxes and charges and development levies) and increased state government debt on Victorian –

(a) development;

(b) competitiveness;

(c) sustainability;

(d) employment;

(e) job creation; and

(f) small businesses, including their national and international competitiveness under the State Government’s current taxation arrangements;

and to table an interim report by 28 February 2010 and a final report by 30 September 2010.