The member for Davidson, Jonathan O'Dea, says local communities now have a greater say in Parliament after the NSW Government made good on its pledge to allow people’s petitions to be debated in the House.
The Premier Barry O’Farrell has delivered on his pre-election commitment to empower communities if they submitted petitions signed by 10,000 people or more.
“We promised to be an accountable government and this will ensure issues of concern to the community get a voice in Parliament.
"This puts people back at the centre of decision-making in NSW and allows them to directly contribute to the agenda for Parliament," Mr O’Farrell said.
Mr O'Dea said it’s a welcome measure for communities who have felt locked out of decision making after 16 years of Labor.
"Petitions presented to Parliament were treated with contempt by Labor but the NSW Liberals & Nationals government has moved to restore respect for the process," he said.
“As the member for Davidson I will continue to advocate tirelessly in Parliament for local issues, but this measure gives people an extra opportunity to set the agenda in their Parliament," said Mr O'Dea.
"In Parliament this week, we saw a debate relating to Barangaroo development due to a petition signed by over 10,000 people.
"Potentially this opportunity can be created to discuss palliative care funding in Northern Sydney. Dr Yvonne McMaster, a tireless advocate on this important issue, is driving the collection of thousands of petition signatures." Mr O'Dea concluded.
