Help Reveal the Eels Deal-Fund Freedom of Information Challenge
When it's public funds, and of public interest, the public has a right to know!
City of Parramatta Council is giving Parramatta Eels $1,150,500 over 3 years in a deal that was decided on in closed session, without community consultation and with details withheld from the public.
Despite requests for the information to be made publicly available, the deal continues to be shrouded in secrecy.
Please help fund the Freedom of Information challenge to Council's decision to withhold key information about the deal, including the original proposal, Council report on the final proposal and Councils officers assessment of the deal.
Refusing to let the community know how and why this partnership/ sponsorship agreement was decided on sets a very troubling precedent. The Local Government Act and Government Information Public Access Act (the NSW version of the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act) are clear - the public has a right to know about matters of public interest. A Local Council giving over $1m in public funds to a tier 1 national sports team, which made $20m surplus in 2023, is definitely something of public interest so let's see what an independent Senior Member of the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) thinks in terms of what you should and shouldn't know.
Your support is needed to help cover the cost of the Freedom of Information challenge, being brought by Kellie Darley and currently paid for from her own personal funds. Kellie is a City of Parramatta Councillor who voted against the deal with the Parramatta Eels and has strongly argued for transparency, consultation, robust governance and Council using public funds to deliver much needed community infrastructure and services.
The costs of the Freedom of Information challenge includes the GIPA application and legal representation - and unlike in a court, there's no option to have your costs covered by the other party. Note: legal representation is not required at NCAT, though given Council will have lawyers involved, it is definitely helpful.
The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal hearing is scheduled for 31st July at 10am at Maddison Tower Level 10, 86 - 90 Goulburn Street in Sydney and you are welcome to attend.
Special thanks to Mr James Ryan, Principal Solicitor at Stringybark Legal, for providing legal representation at a discounted rate.
Donation link below: