Plebiscites have no bearing on local government reforms
The results of Australian Electoral Commission-run plebiscites on Queensland’s local government amalgamations will have no bearing on the reform process, Local Government Minister Warren Pitt said today. Mr Pitt said the plebiscites were not part of the reform process. Rather they were an attempt by the former federal government to subvert the reforms.
(Media-Newswire.com) - The results of Australian Electoral Commission-run plebiscites on Queensland’s local government amalgamations will have no bearing on the reform process, Local Government Minister Warren Pitt said today.
Mr Pitt said the plebiscites were not part of the reform process. Rather they were an attempt by the former federal government to subvert the reforms.
“There is no prospect at all of the amalgamation decisions being reversed”, Mr Pitt said.
“Local Transition Committees across the State have already made solid progress in the transition to the new local government structure.
“Councils are well advanced with their transition planning. In many communities, local candidates have even started campaigning for the local government elections in March next year.”
Mr Pitt said the government remained committed to delivering a new, stronger and more sustainable local government structure, as determined by the independent Local Government Reform Commission.
He said research by the Local Government Association of Queensland into previous Queensland amalgamations suggested that, in time, most people would acknowledge the benefits delivered by the new councils.
“Research into community attitudes towards amalgamations in the 1990s in Cairns, Mackay, Ipswich, Cooloola and Warwick showed that twice as many residents felt the outcome was successful than those who disagreed,” Mr Pitt said.
“In relation to service delivery, almost three times as many people felt council performance had improved than those who felt it had not.
“Significantly, only seven per cent of respondents said they wanted to turn back the clock to the previous local government boundaries.
“I assure those who might still be wishfully thinking that the government will change its mind on the amalgamations that this simply is not going to happen. The government remains totally committed to implementing these reforms for the future of local government Queensland.”
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
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