Joint board a way to ‘lift the veil’ on contacts between politics and industry

This will ensure the continuation of a system of patronage and privilege that is both unfortunate and avoidable.

It is a constant refrain from industry that its views are not listened to by politicians in making policy, but this is not true; views are listened to, but only from a select few business people and in informal, and therefore utterly unaccountable, settings. Those with privileged access and the ear of politicians can influence policy in a way that suits them and will ensure that their companies benefit.

While I don’t blame the individuals concerned for this, after all business people have a duty to their shareholders and employees even if it is potentially at the expense of others, such a system breeds suspicion and the potential for corruption, or the appearance thereof.

What was suggested by the Chamber of Commerce president, to create a board where politicians work with members of industry to draw up policy, would lift the veil on the contacts between industry and politicians to ensure that all industry had a vehicle through which to present their views and would end the ability of an unaccountable clique getting privileged access to taxpayers’ money.

In a small community, conflicts of interest will always arise. The best way to deal with them is through an open, transparent and accountable structure for policy making. Unfortunately, this approach appears to have already been eschewed by the new Economic Development president.

GEOFF MILLER,

Chief Executive,

Afaafa Limited.