David Johnston (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Justice and Customs) Share this | Hansard source

I want to make a very short comment on the amendments proposed by the opposition. Every legislative imposition upon the minister’s decision-making capacity creates a further vulnerability to legal challenge which, in turn, increases litigation, delay and costs. That is precisely what the government seek to avoid. We seek to avoid what has unfolded in each of the states with respect to planning. We do not seek to avoid it by imposing a capricious or arbitrary system in this instance. We think that this bill inaugurates reasonable safeguards and provides an efficient and transparent regime for airport lessees to commence their developments in a proper and measured way. That is the difference between the way the opposition looks at these matters and the way we look at these matters. They want to mandate all of the minister’s discretion and make the process vulnerable to lawyers. We say, ‘No, let’s just get on with the job.’

Question negatived.