Pre-Meeting discussion Parliament House Restaurant 2:30-3:30
Present GFA. Chris Watson, John Connelly , Doug Finlayson ,
We held a meeting beforehand to discuss what issues we wanted to address.
Doug. Need to define "what we want them to do" "we need to emphasis that it is the interests of their constituents that the land goes into public ownership.
General consensus that we need to get then to lobby their State and federal colleagues to have the land in public ownership.
John. We should try to ascertain what information they have been given regarding the deliberations of the LDA Cross Border Committee.
Chris we should suggest that a Federal representative is added to the membership of the LDA Cross Border Committee.
General agreement that we should raise the issue of how the Park is to be managed.
Discussion of the role of the Upper Murrumbidgee Catchment Committee. We were uncertain of its role. It was not made part of the meeting proper.
Generally felt that the area is "out of sight ….out of mind " and we should try to impress on the Zed and Angus that this needs to be changed. They could assist in this by raising the Park profile in general discussions with their colleagues.
Meeting Zed Seselja’s Office Parliament House 3:30-3:50
Present GFA. Zed Seselja , Angus Taylor (5-10 minutes late) Chris Watson, John Connelly , Doug Finlayson ,
Chris opens the meeting. Passes it to John to list the points we need to raise.
John. Fills in background to the park. Tables maps of our "ambit claim" and the riverview concept plan.
Chris. LDA Cross border Committee has been somewhat "hikacked " by Riverview for issues important to them (eg servicing the land via ACT Govt). How can politicians (State or Federal) be involved to give a more balanced approach.
Zed. "Are you looking for a separate process".. Chris "No we must work with this committee"
Doug. We would like to see management of the Park and discussion of the most appropriate structure to manage it put on the agenda for the LDA Cross Border Committee.
ANGUS TAYLOR arrives.
Chris gives brief overview of the discussions to date and emphasises the "out of sight , out of mind " aspect which is why we are trying to raise the profile of the Park at all political levels.
Zed , Angus. Is this Cross Border Committee the same as that set up under Steve Toms by the incoming O’Farrell government . John. No No this is a completely separate committee"
Zed "Johnny (Hyles) indicated he wants to sell out"
Zed. "So you would like to see a Federal representative on that Committee"
Chris. "yes we would like to have access to the formal minutes of the Committee"
Zed to Angus. "we should talk to Greg (Hunt) "
Angus. Raises the possibility of using Offset money to purchase some of the land. Some discussion of how offsets operate. Angus feels they need to be used to purchase the same type of land
Angus. "Best to go after offsets. Johnny (Hyles) knows the answer. "
Zed Summing up they have to leave for another meeting
"Way forward is with Greg Hunt"
Zed to Angus. "Good idea for you and I to go out. Have a beer with Johnny"
Doug. Emphasises again. This is of great benefit to your constituents to establish public ownership and access to this land.
Zed. "I am a big fan of the concept" "From here Angus and I will chase it up."
Meeting Closed. 3:50.
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