Mermaid MP Ray Stevens asked to detail backroom politics
Mermaid MP Ray Stevens asked to detail backroom politics
CABLEWAY MP RAY Stevens is under pressure to reveal his role in supporting new LNP laws which help open up national parks for businesses.
Opponents to the planned $100 million Skyride have called on residents to ask Mr Stevens to explain his position when the party room debated changes to the Nature Conservation Act and vegetation management laws.
Amendments to both pieces of legislation will reduce red tape and potentially save millions of dollars for developers planning projects either in or near national parks.
The Mermaid Beach MP in October in State Parliament announced he was part of a consortium which was proposing a 9km cable car ride from a privately owned site on Springbrook Rd to a mountain top station at Springbrook.
Gold Coast and Hinterland Environment Council president Lois Levy yesterday confirmed a No Way Cableway campaign was underway which could include a petition and possible future rallies.
Mrs Levy said GECKO through social media would encourage residents to ask Mr Stevens to release letters where he sought and obtained clearance from the Integrity Commissioner regarding his involvement in the project.
“I think they should be asking him to be open and transparent about the advice from the Integrity Commissioner,” Mrs Levy said.
“Was he present when changes to the legislation allowed this type of project to go ahead. Was he involved in discussions in the party room?
“Did he vote in favour of those changes in the Parliament? These changes make it easier to do an environmental impact assessment.”
After Mr Stevens had remained silent on the project since October,The Bulletin yesterday published 10 key questions which asked the MP to detail his role, financial stake and contact with fellow MPs about the Skyride.
Mrs Levy said the Parliament would be debating new legislation in the New Year which could favour the project and the Government was required to update the southeast Queensland regional plan.
“He should resign from the Parliament if he continues to be involved in this. Everyone seems to be able to see a conflict of interest other than himself and the Premier,” she said.
Former Labor Mudgeeraba MP Di Reilly is backing a petition to State Parliament because she believes residents will get little support from Coast-based LNP members.
She said residents had been given no information about the project other that it appeared similar to the previous Naturelink proposal.