Liberal MP denies wind farm conflict  

Credit:  By Jacqui Peake, ABC News, www.abc.net.au 22 February 2012 ~~

Western Victorian Liberal MP Simon Ramsay has denied a conflict of interest over his vote on the State Government’s new wind farm planning rules.

The Greens are calling for the Parliamentary Privileges Committee to investigate claims Mr Ramsay did not declare a personal interest before voting on the government’s stricter new requirements.

Mr Ramsay’s family farm at Birregurra, near Colac borders a wind farm that was given the green light by the previous government.

Mr Ramsay says he has made it clear to the Parliament that he had an interest.

“It was part of my speech in Parliament, the fact that I am actually affected by a wind farm myself,” he said.
Audio: MP accused of lobbying Government for personal gain (AM)

“You’ve got to remember the wind farm in question is actually sitting under the old planning permit given by the previous government so it’s not affected at all by the new guidelines.

“I’m not going to apologise for standing up for my rights as a land holder personally and also for the people I represent in the western region.”

Mr Ramsay says he wrote to the company and made a number of requests, but did not make lobbying threats.

The wind farm was given the go-ahead despite Mr Ramsay’s campaign.

Acting Premier Peter Ryan has backed Mr Ramsay, saying the farm in question is not covered by the new laws.

“I think any citizen’s entitled to present his case to whoever the parties might be involved and that’s what he’s done.

“You do need to be careful from the perspective of [being] a parliamentarian but by the same token I don’t understand him to have done anything wrong.”