There is no requirement for JRPP members to provide a publicly available register like democratically elected councillors.

“Whilst it’s all good and well to require State-appointed members to the JRPP to declare any pecuniary or conflict of interest on matterS that come before them, how can any interest be scrutinised by the public if there is no publicly available register of interests of State-appointed JRPP members,” he asked.

“To require councillors to provide a declaration of interests whilst failing to legislate the same standard for State-appointed JRPP members is a blatant double standard in the decision making process and a significant corruption risk in the planning and development assessment process in NSW,” he claimed.

“Failing to require a register of permanent pecuniary interests for JRPP members in the same vein as Local Government Councillors is yet another example of sloppy law making by a minister and government that are more concerned about ends, and not the means.”

Cr Ward said he was shocked by the omission and said he would be reporting the matter to the ICAC Commissioner for action.

“Whilst we were told the JRPP system would provide more transparency and accountability in the decision making process, a disparity in standards of transparency and accountability only serves to erode the credibility of the system and the government that made it law,” Cr Ward concluded.