Environment and Heritage Minister Mark Speakman amended his ministerial diary this month to show he met Heathcote Hall development representatives nine months ago.
The amendment in the publicly available diary was drawn to the Leader’s attention by eagle-eyed Woronora resident, Don Page.
In response to questions, Mr Speakman said he was not required to include the meeting in his diary, but “when I checked my disclosures recently I decided it would nevertheless be preferable to make a further disclosure”.
Ministers are required to update their diary within a week of the end of each quarter, and the contents can be scrutinised online.
Premier Mike Baird introduced the system to provide greater transparency of government decision making.
The entry made this month, and noted as an amendment, stated Mr Speakman met Fuzortinn Pty Ltd and Heathcote MP Lee Evans on September 21.
Mr Speakman reveaIed the meeting date to the Leader a week ago, but made no mention of updating his diary.
This week, he said, “My attendance at Heathcote Hall last year has been widely known for some time, so it has hardly been kept ‘secret’ ”.
“The Premier’s memorandum on diary disclosure is not part of the Ministerial Code of Conduct,” he said.
“It does not require disclosure of meetings with, among others, MPs or of non-scheduled meetings with any third parties.”
Mr Speakman said his practice was to require third parties wishing to schedule a portfolio-related meeting with him to fill in a pre-meeting disclosure form listing proposed attendees.
“I received no form on this occasion suggesting that I had not scheduled a disclosable meeting,” he said.
“When I checked my disclosures recently I decided it would nevertheless be preferable to make a further disclosure.
“The disclosure explicitly states that it is an amendment.”
Mr Speakman said there was no requirement for the Premier or he to make “announcements” about initial disclosures or amendments to disclosures on the Department of Premier and Cabinet website.
“I have no statutory role in considering any development application relevant to Heathcote Hall,” he said.
A spokesman for Mr Baird said, “The Minister has updated the relevant diary disclosure as is appropriate.”
Mr Page said Mr Speakman’s explanation was unsatisfactory, and Mr Baird “needs to act decisively in this matter”.
“Before a sensible debate [on the Heathcote Hall development] can take place, Mr Speakman needs to tell us the whole story at once, not by instalments,” Mr Page said.
“His silence leaves us guessing about all the facts.”
Mr Page said Mr Speakman had not fully explained why he failed to disclose the meeting about a $50 million project, and appeared to rely on it being “non-scheduled” to excuse the omission.
He said the diary rules did not appear to provide for amendments to be made at a later date.
