EPA Is Not Independent Of Government

Leaked documents from the Environment Department have revealed that the Independent EPA will be a part of the Department of Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage. It will be funded by Government from within departmental resources and it will report daily to the Minister.

“The truth is that the EPA will not independent at all. I have in my possession documents that reveal that the Government’s preferred model is part of the Minister’s department. No extra money will be put aside to make the EPA work.

“The documents reveal that the Government has produced an ‘EPA Establishment Project – Draft Communications Plan’. Part of that plan is: “The interim Board is also seeking to identify sectoral ‘champions’ to assist in their work.” Minister that is bureau speak for: “Get people that work in the area to say what a great job the Government is doing.” The question is how much will these “Champions” be paid?

“The documents also reveal that the Independent EPA will be part of the Minister’s Department. She will be responsible for the hiring and firing, wages, any industrial relations matters that flow from the EPA’s work, as well as its paperwork and administration and the Minister will fund its functions.

“Calling this EPA is Independent is a breach of trust. This Government promised Territorians a fully independent EPA and what they are going to get is nothing of the sort.

“This EPA is now dead before it starts. The fact that it is entirely beholden to Government means that it stretches the word, ‘independent’, beyond the tolerance of the English language.

“This Government has misled Territorians and has demonstrated itself to be untrustworthy yet again.

“The issue here is purely about Government honesty and it is clear that their preferred model is not at all independent.”

2006-06-15