THE property deal revealed in this week's The Weekly Times appears to strike at the heart of our system of government.

The Weekly Times is at pains not to draw any conclusions about the deal where a property developer - a substantial donor to the Australian Labor Party - was set to make a windfall from the government's actions.

The developer, John Simpson, denies he had any knowledge of the proposed freight terminal and The Weekly Times does not suggest he did.

We can, however, present the facts. And it is also our duty to ask questions about this deal.

Does Roads Minister Tim Pallas, Planning Minister Justin Madden or any other minister know Mr Simpson or any of his business associates?

Did any minister or his officers communicate with Mr Simpson or his business associates on the Government's intentions for the Beveridge site in the lead-up to the purchase?

What was the process and who decided the Victorian Government should lobby the Federal Government to list the Donnybrook/Beveridge interstate freight terminal as an Infrastructure Australia priority project?

Who drafted the VC55 amendment that included the Beveridge land as the proposed intermodal and logistics precinct?

Did any minister raise the issue of the December 2, 2008, trigger for the imposition of the $95,000/ha Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution with anyone outside of Cabinet before that date?

Unfortunately the Government's media machine seems unable to give any clear answers.

The Weekly Times believes these questions must be asked by an independent authority with the power to call ministers and their staff to account.

There's no reason why the Upper House inquiry into the controversial Windsor Hotel redevelopment could not be expanded to cover this issue.

This issue is above party politics and must not be sullied by political grandstanding by Opposition parties wishing to score points.

Property is a huge industry, generating big gains for industry players and enormous tax revenue for government. Like the mining sector in WA, property is a key driver of Victoria's economy.

That's why the Victorian Government ministers must do all it can to implement objective planning and infrastructure policies.