Hon Ben Dawkins questions the Minister for Lands regarding the Main Roads Amendment Bill 2023, alleging it usurps the Minister's powers over crown land and enables private commercial use of public roads. The Minister for Lands denies the usurpation of power and redirects questions about commercial use to the Minister for Transport.

AnsweredQoN 850Legislative Council
Asked
15 August 2023
Portfolio
Lands

QuestionView source ↗

MAIN ROADS AMENDMENT
BILL 2023
850. Hon BEN DAWKINS to the minister representing the
Minister for Lands:
I refer the minister to the Main
Roads Amendment Bill 2023.
(1) Is the
minister or the Department of Lands aware that the powers being granted under
the Main Roads bill usurp the minister's powers to deal with crown land
under the Land Administration Act?
(2) Has the
minister or the Department of Lands received any advice about this; and, if so,
will the minister table that advice to Parliament?
(3) Is the
minister concerned about public roads being used for private commercial
purposes and Main Roads resuming land for private commercial purposes?
(4) Is the Main
Roads bill another example of bureaucrats using the government's
control of both houses as an opportunity for a power grab?

AnswerView source ↗

I
thank the member for some notice of the question. The following response has
been provided by the Minister for Lands.
(1) The member is
mistaken. The amendments in division 2 of the Main Roads bill do not usurp the
Minister for Lands' powers to deal with crown land under the Land
Administration Act 1997.
(2) Not applicable.
(3)–(4) These questions should
be directed to the Minister for Transport.

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