CAMPAIGN TO DEFEAT THIS BLATANT LAND GRAB

The Rottnest Island Authority Act Amendment Bill is currently before the Legislative Assembly in the State Parliament.  The second reading of the Bill took place on Thursday 30th August, and the third reading is scheduled for as early as Tuesday 4th Sept. Read the Bill

All Labour and Liberal MPs have so far voted for the all of the amendments.  The only member to challenge some aspects of this Bill to date is the member for Alfred Cove, Dr Janet Woollard (Lib. Ind.) 

Most of the Bill is about administrative detail and is carrying out recommendations of the Rottnest Island Taskforce Report of 2004.  The amendment which adds 50 hectares of prime building land to the Settlement Zone was NOT a Taskforce recommendation.  There is no reason other than future development for this land grab. 

It is clear that the government has a hidden agenda and they should tell the public what they have in mind.

Please do what you can to make sure that this amendment does not get through the Parliament

WHAT YOU CAN DO - about this proposed amendment to the Rottnest Island Authority Act

 Any of the following actions would be helpful: 

1. Write to your local member – see addresses on our website here at  contact details

2. Write to the Premier with a copy to the Minister for Tourism (see sample letter  with Premier’s address).  Minister’s address: Hon Sheila McHale MLA, Minister for Tourism, 12th Floor,  Dumas House,  2 Havelock Street,  West Perth WA 6005.     Email addresses:                                                Hon. Alan John Carpenter                         Hon. Sheila Margaret McHale

2. Write to the Shadow Minister for Tourism (adapt attached letter & change the address – Hon Katie Hodson-Thomas MLA, Suite 6,  6 Davallia Road,  Duncraig WA 6023. Email address:  Ms Katina (Katie) Hodson-Thomas

5. Encourage others to take any of these actions.

6. Talk to others – it would be a major shift in bipartisan policy to achieve wide acceptance of the need for public funding for some spects of Rottnest’s management.  There has been much good work done in recent years by the Rottnest Island Authority and the general thrust of management objectives appears to be aligned with the Act and the RIMP – except for the express desireS to increase the number of visitors to the island and to promote the island as a "world class tourist destination" (without the necessary funding to take care of the natural environment).  The RIA management objectives will always have the potential to be corrupted by the requirement by government to be financially self-sustaining whilst attempting to keep the island “affordable”.

7. Write a letter to editors of local newspapers and/or “The West Australian”.  (sample letter here)