SAVE WILLIAMSTOWN
Schmoozing behind the scenes?
The Advertiser
BY GOYA BENNETT
16 Jun, 2010 04:00 AM
“PLANNING Minister Justin Madden has been asked to explain photos on social networking site facebook, showing him socialising with developers at a Crown Palladium event last November.
The photo shows him socialising with Jump Property Public Relations & Media head Suzanne Northey, who represents developers wanting to build a high-rise development on the Port Phillip Woollen Mill site in Williamstown.
Ms Northey has since strengthened the security settings on her facebook page.
Residents protesting against the Nelson Place Village proposal want to know why Mr Madden has not met them but was happy to "duck out of Parliament" to attend the Crown event hosted by Jump PR.
On the same night of November 11, Western Metropolitan Greens upper house MP Colleen Hartland raised an adjournment issue about Mr Madden listening to the community on alternative ideas for the mill site.
Save Williamstown spokeswoman Charmian Gaud lashed out at Mr Madden.
"He's supposed to respond to an adjournment motion within 30 days, but he's never done that. Yet at an event the same night, he's seen shaking hands and talking to the developer's PR lady. It just so happens she is also the Evolve Development PR. Suzanne Northey has the glittering opportunity to talk about development. Did she discuss the former Port Phillip Woollen Mill site?
"Madden would have known that it had been raised as an adjournment item in the upper house of Parliament that very night," Ms Gaud said.
Mr Madden's spokesman avoided all questions relating to the facebook photos taken of him with Suzanne Northey.
State Government spokesman Chris Owner said Mr Madden did not plan to meet Save Williamstown members.......”
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
