HPG received the Trust’s submission to the Independent Review on 13 February, two weeks after public comment closed and only 5 days prior to the 18 February Public Forum. The submission details the Trust’s position and intentions in respect of matters raised for discussion in the Public Consultation Paper, so it was reasonable to expect there would be an opportunity at the Forum for public discussion. There was not.
HPG feels strongly that the Trust, as trustee and manager of lands for all Australians, should have been transparent and informed the public of these details at the commencement of the Review, to enable an informed response by the community to the Public Consultation Document.
Having now had a chance to examine the Trust’s submission to the Independent Review in detail, HPG has written to the Minister with comments in respect of the Trust’s recommendations.