New planning minister Lizzie Blandthorn and (inset) her brother,John-Paul Blandthorn,a director of Labor-linked lobbying firm Hawker Britton.Credit:AAP
The firm’s clients include many prominent property and infrastructure companies,among them developers such as Dennis Family Corporation,Intrapac and Caydon;construction giant John Holland in its role building the West Gate Tunnel;and prominent planning firm Tract.
Another major Hawker Britton client is AS Residential Property No.1 Pty Ltd,an offshoot of Australia’s biggest superannuation fund,Australian Super,which is awaiting a ministerial decision on its controversial proposal to redevelop the Kingswood golf course in Melbourne’s south-east. The scheme,which includes 800 new houses,is opposed by residents;the local federal MP,Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus;and the Kingston council.
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Weeks afterThe Agefirst revealed the conflict,a government spokeswoman on Thursday night confirmed an alternative minister would be appointed to handle any project involving Hawker Britton.
“Hawker Britton has been advised that the minister for planning will exclude herself from any planning decision-making that involves or mentions a client of Hawker Britton,” a government spokeswoman said.
There will be no contact between the firm and the minister,her office,or the Department of Environment,Land,Water and Planning on any planning matter.
“The minister looks forward to continuing to work with local communities to deliver the best planning outcomes for Victorians,” the spokeswoman said.