The government's decision to bypass a white paper on the National Planning Commission (NPC) negated best democratic practices, the Democratic Alliance (DA) said on Friday.

Following the release of the revised green paper by Minister in the Presidency Trevor Manuel earlier on Friday, DA parliamentary leader Athol Trollip said that a white paper was absolutely critical to define the powers of the commission.

"Without it, this critical institution will be built on nothing more than ambiguities, which in themselves are deeply problematic, and which lack the specificity and detail necessary to understand where its power begins and ends.

"And, more importantly, what checks and balances will limit its power," he said.

Trollip said that despite calls from some members of an ad hoc committee on the NPC, the final report to Parliament noted that the decision to adopt a white paper - essentially making it legislative - had been left for Manuel to decide.

"Therefore the onus to uphold sound democratic practice was put squarely on Minister Manuel's shoulders."

The revised green paper released on Friday states: "Given that there will be degree of learning by doing in the establishment of the commission and in the development of a vision and long term strategic plan, it is proposed that government chooses not to turn the green paper into a white paper."

The paper found this advantageous as it provided a public commitment on the broad approach, but still left room for flexibility.
"It is not necessary to first construct a complete six-lane highway before one can embark on a journey.

"The degree of formality would increase gradually as our approach evolves and becomes more institutionalised." Trollip described the green paper as encouraging as it removed the contentious issue of the commissioners having executive powers.

"However, the revised version has not replaced these with a proper explanation of the particular powers, and their removal has only served to make the green paper vaguer and less specific."

He said the DA fully supported the NPC's programme of action in a careful and coordinated fashion, but was concerned that its invention was that of the African National Congress and therefore single-mindedly focused on centralising control.

"Its ambitions in this regard often overflow into public life. Against this background the precise nature, particular powers and checks and balances that would define a National Planning Commission must be clearly and specifically stated," said Trollip.