The debate over the Newcastle rail cut has intensified, with the Greens calling for the resignation of a public servant and the NSW government refusing to release crucial documents.
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The Greens have demanded to know when the government will ask for the resignation of Hunter Development Corporation general manager Bob Hawes, who faces a conflict of interest allegation over the government’s decision to cut Newcastle’s heavy rail line.
Greens MLC David Shoebridge has accused Mr Hawes of the conflict arising from his position at HDC, which recommended the rail cut to the state government, and his part-ownership of land near the future site of the multi-million dollar Wickham Transport Interchange, which is part of the government’s plan for the rail corridor.
Mr Hawes told the parliamentary inquiry into Hunter planning decisions recently that he declared his 50 per cent stake in 1-9 Beresford Street on HDC’s interest register when he became general manager in 2011 and during a previous period working for the government agency up to 2007.
Mr Shoebridge asked the government in Parliament yesterday afternoon when it would seek Mr Hawes’ resignation.
The government’s upper house planning and infrastructure spokesman Matthew Mason-Cox said the question contained allegations that should be referred to the relevant authorities.
“As far as the detail of the question is concerned, of course I will take it on notice for the Minister [Pru Goward] and come back with a detailed answer,” he said.
In a written statement, Mr Hawes told the Mercury: “In view of opening remarks made to witnesses by inquiry chair Fred Nile MLC, it would be imprudent for me to debate these matters through the media.”
Newcastle City Council has confirmed that development consent was given in 2010 for apartments to be built on the Beresford Street land, but construction had not taken place.
Meanwhile, the state government has not released a cost-benefit analysis or scoping study for its plan to close the rail line despite a motion in Parliament that legally required them to do so.
Greens MLC Mehreen Faruqi passed a Standing Order 52 motion, which called for the government to hand over a range of documents related to the rail cut.
But the government has claimed that these documents fall into the category of cabinet in confidence, which means their contents cannot be released or discussed publicly.
The Greens are appealing the decision and an independent arbiter, former NSW Supreme Court president Keith Mason, will prepare a report on whether the documents should be kept from public view.
Parliament will vote on Mr Mason’s findings and decide whether the documents should be released.
Transport Minister and Minister for the Hunter Gladys Berejiklian’s office did not respond to the Mercury's inquiry yesterday.
The government plans to permanently close Newcastle rail line at Wickham on Boxing Day.
THE QUESTION:
When will the government be demanding the resignation of Mr Bob Hawes, the general manager of the Hunter Development Corporation, given his clear conflict of interest as half owner of a $60 million development site right next to Wickham Station, being exactly where Mr Hawes’ Hunter Development Corporation has been proposing that the railway line be cut and replaced with a multi-million dollar transport interchange?
