The state government says it has complied with a parliamentary motion calling for the release of documents related to two major Hunter projects.
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Motions from Labor for the release of documents related to the funding model of the Lower Hunter hospital at Metford, and from the Greens, calling for the cost benefit analysis and scoping study of the Newcastle rail cut, have not yielded the desired results for the opposition parties.
A Standing Order 52 was passed in State Parliament in both instances, which compelled the government to release the relevant paper work.
But the Coalition claimed some of the documents fell into the cabinet in confidence category, which meant they could not be released or discussed publicly.
Both cabinet in confidence claims are being appealed.
Former NSW Supreme Court president Keith Mason will prepare an independent report on whether the documents should remain confidential.
Transport Minister and Minister for the Hunter Gladys Berejiklian said all the documents, besides those deemed to be cabinet in confidence, had been released.
“The NSW government is getting on with the job of revitalising Newcastle CBD, including truncating the rail line and building a new light rail network,” she said.
Greens transport spokeswoman Mehreen Faruqi said it appeared the overwhelming majority of documents had been kept confidential.
She said the motion called for the scoping study on the impact of the rail cut and the government’s cost benefit analysis for the project to be released because the documents were of public interest.
“It beggars belief that the government does not think the public should see the studies they are relying on to truncate the much-needed Newcastle rail line,” Dr Faruqi said.
“The government’s failure to comply with this motion will be [an] unacceptable interference in the work of the Parliament as well as the public’s right to know.”