Diggers Miranda RSL

Hansard ID: HANSARD-1323879322-97532

Hansard session: Fifty-Sixth Parliament, First Session (56-1)

Diggers Miranda RSL

Ms ELENI PETINOS (Miranda) (16:41:15):

I bring to the attention of the House the situation surrounding the Miranda RSL club development. Diggers Miranda RSL has been an institution in the Sutherland shire since 1935 and a major supporter of its 6,400 members and our community, having actively contributed to organisations such as RSL Life Care, Defence Care, Legacy, Enough is Enough and multiple local sporting teams. It is home to the Miranda RSL Sub-Branch, and its strong relationship with the community is evidenced in the club welcoming more than 1,500 patrons through the doors on Anzac Day. The RSL is a partner in the Miranda Central Development. To correctly outline the current situation, I quote a letter signed by Mr John Rowan, Mrs Marjorie Wood and Mr Michael Colley on behalf of the club:

After working closely with Council for 12 months, we have received a recommendation for approval from both Council's planning officers and IHAP. We have received minimal objection to our application with only one objector appearing before IHAP and we can report that we agreed to their requested amendment in the hearing to the satisfaction of both parties.

The letter goes on to say:

... the financial security and future of the club rests on the outcome of this DA. Without an approval, we will not be able to refinance our existing debt obligations and the continued presence of the RSL becomes uncertain at best.

This did not stop Brick Pit Barry Collier, the National Young Labor President Jack Boyd and Deputy Mayor Peter Scaysbrook. Those Australian Labor Party [ALP] hacks directed independent staff that the development application [DA] not be approved by professional officers. Rather, they sent it to the Independent Hearing and Assessment Panel [IHAP] for another level of review, then to committees and then to council for final determination. The subsequent delay increased financial hardship and uncertainty for the RSL, which would otherwise have had a decision at the beginning of March. It is now May and they are still waiting.

I am not here to debate the issues or benefits of this development. What I am here for is to fight for our community, particularly when such cherished groups are unjustly under attack—and that is what is happening here. The seven ALP councillors are meddling in development applications, propping up their mates and penalising those who do not bankroll them. This is our local RSL asking the councillors for assistance. To add some more insight allow me to quote from a letter written by Michael Molloy, President of the Miranda RSL Sub‑Branch:

We feel that this development is crucial to the survival of the club and subsequently the RSL Sub-Branch.

Leader

Yet Labor does not care. Can you believe it? One might ask who could potentially benefit from the demise of the local RSL. Based on previous examples, Tradies amalgamated with Caringbah RSL approximately eight years ago, according to an article in the last week. The same article indicated that Tradies considered its options when it came to Bundeena RSL. Might the effect of the closure of the Miranda RSL be that Tradies, one of the closest competitors of the RSL, will be presented with an opportunity?

It is on public record that these Labor councillors have been funded by Tradies over at least the past 15 years, funnelling more than $350,000 into their local campaigns. According to the NSW Electoral Commission website, some of these donations included $70,000 to Barry Collier's campaigns. Further to this, it is widely known that the Labor councillors declaring an interest on the Tradies development has caused much community concern. It is also important to note that during the consultation process conducted by council more than 130 objections were received from this small and otherwise quiet part of Gymea.

It is clear that Labor is delivering for its donors in the shire. Brick Pit Barry, Jack Boyd and Deputy Mayor Peter Scaysbrook obviously provide value for money. They abstain from voting on the Tradies development application, creating massive community concern, and delay the competitor's DA without batting an eyelid. I say shame. I do not want the public to lose confidence in their elected representatives. We are here to serve them. We are here to fight for them. Labor has forgotten that. I say to our local community, the RSL and the sub-branch that I will fight for them. The Liberal councillors will fight for them and together, as a community, we will fight for our shire.

Mr MARK COURE (Oatley) (16:46:11):

I thank the member for Miranda for standing up for Miranda RSL and the many members, guests, diggers and families that frequent that establishment. It is in an amazing part of Sydney. Shame on Labor for getting in the way of a development application for this community asset. RSL clubs have been struggling over years. Many clubs in my community have been redeveloped or are in the process of being redeveloped, such as those at South Hurstville and Kogarah. Labor should stop playing politics and get out of the way of this community organisation. Shame on them.