Brendan O'Connor (Gorton, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I lend my support to the comments made by the member for Pearce with respect to the two projects to be undertaken in Townsville and Rockhampton. I agree with the comments that were outlined. I would like to say, as a member who was in attendance on both occasions, that we properly examined the matters that were before us. The Department of Defence provided sufficient information and followed up when we asked for further information. The hearing at Townsville also had the local federal member, the member for Herbert, in attendance and we provided an opportunity for him to make comment. That hearing went off without any particular problem.

I was not able to be involved in the inspection of the Shoalwater Bay site. However, I have been to Shoalwater Bay before and I was able to see the site prior to the inspection provided to the Joint Standing Committee on Public Works on the day. We had quite a busy time at the public hearing. There were a number of community organisations in attendance. The federal member for Capricornia, Kirsten Livermore, was also in attendance. She raised some questions, ensuring that she was protecting the community’s interests. The local mayor was also in attendance.

I would like to point out one thing which was raised informally on the day and which is something we might have to consider in relation to those types of hearings. Whilst the hearing on the day went well, and those who might have had some objections to the particular proposal were given the right to express those objections and they had access to the location, it might have been more fitting if the Rockhampton hearing had been held off-base. There were no particular concerns raised with me directly, but it might be more suitable, if there is a Defence project and there are citizens or organisations wanting to involve themselves in the public works process, to have that hearing located on neutral ground, as it were. Perhaps something like a municipal office or another location would be more appropriate.

I also, along with the chair of the committee, thank Hansard, the secretariat of the committee and members who managed to find their way—you know how it is, Mr Deputy Speaker—to these regional places to do the work that is required of them.

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