MEDIA RELEASE - 10 May 2013

The Greens NSW spokesperson on agriculture Jeremy Buckingham raised his concern that the O’Farrell Government was floundering on the detail of the Local Land Services (LLS), and called on the government to commit to maintaining funding in real terms for all services being taken into the LLS model. 

Finance Minister Pearce was unable to give an answer when asked about funding of LLS in Parliamentary Question Time. (See transcript below)

“The Finance Minister, Greg Pearce is asleep at the wheel and could not answer a basic question about funding of Local Land Services,” said Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham.

“This is the largest reform to governance structures for agriculture and natural resource management in living memory, and the Finance Minister does not seem to even be aware of its existence,”

“The Greens want a commitment from the government that the current funding for LHAPs, CMAs and extension services under DPI will be maintained, or increased, in real terms under the LLS model being pushed by the government.

“The city Liberals don’t have a clue about funding for rural services, but this is an important issue for farmers and country communities that rely on services and infrastructure provided by the bodies being brought under the new LLS,” he said.

Contact: Max Phillips - 9230 2202 or 0419 444 916

Hansard Transcript or watch video

LOCAL LAND SERVICES – 8 May 2013

The Hon. JEREMY BUCKINGHAM: My question is directed to the Minister for Finance and Services. Will the Government make a commitment to the farmers of New South Wales that the proposed Local Land Services will not be a slash and burn exercise and that current funding and services will be maintained in real terms?

The Hon. GREG PEARCE: Does anyone have a clue what that question was about?

The Hon. Steve Whan: Yes, I have. Would you like me to explain it to you?

The Hon. GREG PEARCE: Yes, I would actually.

The Hon. Jeremy Buckingham: It is about funding. Make a commitment.

The Hon. GREG PEARCE: He says it is about funding. Funding what? There are no cuts to farmers. As usual the Hon. Jeremy Buckingham is off with his North Korean controllers.

The Hon. Luke Foley: Michael Kirby is going to sort them.

The Hon. GREG PEARCE: That is right. I am pleased. I recognise the interjection from the Leader of the Opposition. The Hon. Michael Kirby will do a fair bit to sort out The Greens, and they need it. They really need to have a receiver and manager or, perhaps even better, a liquidator appointed to The Greens.

The Hon. Jeremy Buckingham: Point of order: It is relevance. We are a minute into the Minister’s answer and he has not mentioned anything that I raised in my question. I ask you to make sure the Minister’s answer is relevant to the question.

The PRESIDENT: Order! I uphold the point of order. Does the Minister have anything to add?

The Hon. GREG PEARCE: I simply say that if anybody can think of anything relevant to say in answer to that question I would be grateful for the help.