NSW Greens MP Faces Complaint Over Alleged Misuse of Parliamentary Resources in Anti-Housing Campaign

Download IPFS

New South Wales (NSW) Greens Member of Parliament Kobi Shetty is facing a formal complaint following allegations that she misused parliamentary resources to support an activist campaign opposing a major housing development in Sydney’s Inner West. The complaint centers on the alleged use of taxpayer-funded printing services and equipment loaned to a group opposing increased housing density in the area.

Emails obtained by The Daily Telegraph indicate that Shetty, the Member for Balmain, collaborated with the “Better Future Coalition,” an anti-development group, to produce and distribute campaign materials against a proposed plan to build approximately 31,000 new homes. These materials, reportedly printed using parliamentary allowances, included flyers and leaflets critical of the Inner West Council’s proposed zoning changes. Additionally, Shetty is said to have lent audio equipment to the group for use at a public meeting held on July 27 at the Addison Road Community Centre in Marrickville.

The term “NIMBY,” short for “Not In My Back Yard,” has been widely used to describe residents and groups who oppose new development projects in their communities. Critics argue that NIMBY activism, while often rooted in concerns over infrastructure and local character, can hinder efforts to address Australia’s ongoing housing crisis. In this case, the posters branded the development effort as the “Un-fairer Future Plan” and raised concerns over inadequate amenities to support new housing.

According to the complaint submitted to the Department of Parliamentary Services, Shetty allegedly failed to obtain proper authorization to use her communications allowance for printing the materials. NSW parliamentary guidelines stipulate that such allowances must be used for official parliamentary purposes and must receive prior approval. The flyers in question were also found posted around Marrickville, which falls outside Shetty’s electorate of Balmain and instead lies within the neighboring electorate of Summer Hill.

The situation has drawn criticism from both local government and state officials. Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne condemned Shetty’s actions, describing them as counterproductive in the face of what he called “the worst housing crisis in living memory.” Byrne emphasized the importance of directing public funds toward increasing housing supply, rather than using them to “fund political campaigns against building homes.”

Further complicating the matter, Greens MP for Newtown, Jenny Leong, was also mentioned in the communications with the activist group, suggesting additional political involvement in the campaign.

NSW Premier Chris Minns has prioritized increasing housing density as part of his administration’s response to the state’s housing shortage. His government has urged local councils, including those in Sydney, to reform zoning laws to enable faster and more efficient development. The Inner West Council’s plan to expand zoning for thousands of new homes aligns with that broader state initiative.

As the investigation request proceeds, questions remain about the appropriate use of taxpayer-funded allowances and the role elected officials should play in community activism, particularly when public resources may be involved. The Department of Parliamentary Services has not yet issued a public statement regarding the status of the complaint.