Libs step up attack on Carr over retail centre: [2 All-round First Edition]
Drew Warne-Smith, John Stapleton. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 23 Aug 2004: 2.
Abstract
An upper house inquiry into the Orange Grove centre is investigating whether there was any interference from rival retailer Westfield in the rezoning decision that will close the $20 million complex. It is a charge Mr [Bob Carr] has consistently and aggressively denied, despite embarrassing revelations that his own senior adviser, Graeme Wedderburn, had met with Westfield executive Mark Ryan before the rezoning.
Mr [John Brogden] said the Opposition’s Save Orange Grove Bill 2004 would rezone the land on which the Orange Grove complex in Liverpool is built. The complex was declared illegal in June by the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal. The ruling held that the outlet breached planning rules because it was built in an industrial zone.
Full Text
THE NSW Opposition yesterday intensified its attack on the embattled Carr Government over the Orange Grove shopping centre, which faces closure this week with the loss of 450 jobs.
Opposition Leader John Brogden said he would introduce a bill when parliament resumed later this month to try to stop the closure of the shopping centre in southwestern Sydney, which has dogged the Government in recent months.
Bob Carr is already facing one of his toughest challenges as Premier over accusations that he has compromised an anti-corruption watchdog inquiry into one of his ministers.
The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption last week ordered him to explain to its inquiry why he should not be charged with contempt, despite his withdrawing the offending comments.
Mr Carr had earlier claimed that former health minister Craig Knowles, accused of bullying whistleblower nurses, had been “vindicated”.
Mr Brogden accused Mr Carr of arrogance after the Premier said he would send his lawyers, rather than front the ICAC personally, to explain on September 10.
An upper house inquiry into the Orange Grove centre is investigating whether there was any interference from rival retailer Westfield in the rezoning decision that will close the $20 million complex. It is a charge Mr Carr has consistently and aggressively denied, despite embarrassing revelations that his own senior adviser, Graeme Wedderburn, had met with Westfield executive Mark Ryan before the rezoning.
On Wednesday this week, Mr Ryan, previously a press secretary to former prime minister Paul Keating, is expected to give evidence to the inquiry about his meeting with Mr Carr’s office.
Mr Brogden said the Opposition’s Save Orange Grove Bill 2004 would rezone the land on which the Orange Grove complex in Liverpool is built. The complex was declared illegal in June by the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal. The ruling held that the outlet breached planning rules because it was built in an industrial zone.
The appeals court ruling followed action in the NSW Land and Environment Court by Westfield, which had challenged the right of its rival to continue operating in the suburb.
Orange Grove owner Nabil Gazal’s company Gazcorp has until Thursday to launch an appeal or be shut down, leaving 450 people out of work.
Many Orange Grove shopkeepers and local residents declared yesterday they would never shop at Westfield again. Others said they hoped Mr Carr would be tipped out of office.
Editorial — Page 8