07 June 2005
Peter Garrett MP
Member for Kingsford Smith
The Federal Government is stalling on a decision regarding Malabar Headland, the Member for Kingsford Smith, Peter Garrett, said today after receiving an unsatisfactory response to the thirty six questions he put on the notice paper.
“The Government indifference to local community concerns shown by the failure to outline a clear agenda for the future of Malabar Headland is unacceptable”, Mr Garrett said.
“Blame shifting and bureaucratic secrecy seems to be the response from this government. The residents of Kingsford Smith are entitled to an immediate handover of the headland, to be administered as public open space and National Park.”
“In response to my questioning on the future of Malabar Headland the Government provided non-answers, citing the need to assess ‘all of the relevant property management issues’. The Government has already had almost seven years to address such issues.”
“The only impediment to a handover of the land is the Government itself. The State Government has fulfilled its obligation and identified viable, alternative sites for the rifle range.”
“Given the lack of information provided in the answers, to better inform the residents of Kingsford Smith, I have requested a formal briefing from the NSW Department of Environment and Conservation on the state of Malabar Headland.”
“Due to Federal government inaction the community has been kept in a state of limbo on Malabar Headland since September 1998. I will continue to lobby for an open and accountable process to ensure all of Malabar Headland is handed back to the people of New South Wales.”
To access the full list of answers please go to, http://www.aph.gov.au/Hansard/reps/dailys/dr240505.pdf
Contact: Andrew Palfreyman, 02 9349 6007