Stricter Consultation Rules for Regional Communities
Regional Communities (Consultation Standards) Bill 2024
Independent BillLegislative Assembly
Legislative Council
Assent
Topics
community consultation government standards public engagement regional communities stakeholder engagement
Introduced by: Roy Butler MP (IND); The Hon Tara Moriarty MLC (ALP)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Debate
What different members said when this bill was debated:
Sarah Mitchell NAT
“I lead for the Opposition on the Regional Communities (Consultation Standards) Bill 2024 and indicate at the outset that the Opposition will support it. The bill aims to ensure that government bodies and agencies conduct proper and effective consultation with regional communities in New South Wales. I acknowledge the member for Barwon in the other place for introducing the bill.”
Mark Banasiak SFFP
“I contribute to debate on the Regional Communities (Consultation Standards) Bill 2024. The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers do not oppose the bill but we think it is political naivety to think that passing a bill that chooses to implement a set of standards that we have not seen yet will somehow fix the quality of consultation that is undertaken by government departments.”
Sue Higginson GRN
“On behalf of The Greens, I indicate that we support the Regional Communities (Consultation Standards) Bill 2024. I have a small amendment. It is great to hear once again that everybody is talking in agreement about the importance of consulting the community.”
Stephen Lawrence ALP
“I make a short contribution to the debate on the Regional Communities (Consultation Standards) Bill 2024. The New South Wales Government strives to work closely with regional communities to ensure that they can have their say on policies that impact them. That is why the Government supported the bill in the other place and why it is now taking carriage of the bill in this place.”
Tara Moriarty ALP
“Sarah Mitchell, the Hon. Mark Banasiak, Ms Sue Higginson and the Hon. Stephen Lawrence. I acknowledge the member for Barwon, who brought forward the bill to set a minimum standard for how government consults with rural and regional communities. The Government agrees with the intent and has taken carriage of the bill to support its passage into law.”
News articles and press releases
Second Reading Speech, Regional Communities (Consultation Standards) Bill 2024
Mr ROY BUTLER, Member for Barwon — 2024-06-20
I introduce the Regional Communities (Consultation Standards) Bill 2024. The importance of this bill for regional communities cannot be underestimated. Some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged communities in New South Wales are in Barwon, so when public money is invested in projects in these communities, it is critical that the communities understand the investment and are central to the projects' outcomes and that there is accountability for just how that money is being spent. Unfortunately, we find time and time again that that is not the case. Communities become victims of DAD consulting—that is, "decide, advise, defend"—and government projects intended to do good cause division. There are so many examples of government decisions causing division in Barwon.