Minister clueless over Melbourne Water Review resignation
Today in Parliament, the Andrews Labor Government has failed to answer basic questions over the standing down of the chair of a review into the recent Maribyrnong River flood.
Yesterday evening Mr Nick Wimbush, the Andrews Labor Government’s hand-picked chair of the Maribyrnong River Flood Review, stood down following revelations of a serious conflict of interest relating to his role in a 2015 decision to amend flood planning rules along the Maribyrnong River to enable further development than previously allowed.
Under questioning today Minister for Water, Harriet Shing, confirmed:
- She has made no contact with Melbourne Water over the past week.
- She is unaware if any member of her staff has contacted Melbourne Water over the past week.
- She was unable to provide a date as to when she was informed of Mr Wimbush’s appointment.
- She was unable to confirm if she was made aware of Mr Wimbush’s appointment prior to its public announcement.
- She was first made aware of Mr Wimbush’s serious conflicts of interest when contacted yesterday by a journalist.
Shadow Minister for Water, Tim McCurdy, said it was clear the government is not being honest and transparent with Victorians.
“Those impacted by this flood deserve a truly independent and comprehensive review into what went wrong and why, but at the moment are getting anything but,” Mr McCurdy said.
“Victorians are now rightfully questioning the integrity of this review. This appointment was never appropriate and the Andrews Labor Government still has serious questions to answer.”