THE suspension of Parliament until September due to the COVID-19 pandemic has left Murray MP Helen Dalton feeling frustrated, as the expiration of her Water Register Bill looms large.
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Mrs Dalton believes that NSW Government are using their emergency powers to halt democratic processes, citing the unjust nature of Bill expiration while Parliament is in shutdown.
"I know under normal circumstances, Bills introduced to Parliament expire after six months," she said.
"But the NSW Government has stopped Parliament until September.
"Why do Bills expire while Parliament's not sitting? That isn't fair at all."
The Water Register Bill, which was drafted in December, aimed to force all NSW Members of Parliament to declare their water interests, building a public register of all foreign and domestic companies that own water.
However, before the Bill was introduced to Parliament, an anonymous National Party MP objected to Helen Dalton, citing a conflict of interest and reporting Helen Dalton to the Ethics Committee.
"He or she reported me to the Ethics Committee, they did everything they could to stop this bill," Mrs Dalton explained.
"Now, they get to throw the Bill out."
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Currently politicians must declare their income, gifts and property ownership, but they do not have to declare water ownership.
Mrs Dalton believes that law is absurd, questioning the lack of action from NSW Government in not changing it sooner.
"The NSW Government have had nine years to change the law, but have chosen not to do so," Mrs Dalton said.
"Why don't they have to declare water ownership? It's ridiculous."
Mrs Dalton also questioned the decision to cancel this year's NSW local government elections and postpone them for 12 months.
"NSW Parliament is scheduled to resume this September. Local government elections are due this September," she began.
"If Parliament can resume, why are the elections cancelled?
"This was a very early call. A delay of three to six months may have been more appropriate."
Mrs Dalton says she plans to reintroduce her Water Register Bill as soon as Parliament resumes, but notes she will have to go through all the formalities again.
Those formalities mean the debate on the Bill may not be resolved until mid-2021, forcing the Murray MP to bide her time.
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