What does everyone think of the mergers of the local councils in QLD? Is it going to affect Labor's chances in the federal election? Will the sacked mayors be able to stir up enough anti-labor sentiment, or will the public see through it all? Will people be afraid of losing services?

I personally think it's a good idea to reduce the burden of local government on the community. But we should have had a referendum on it, or at least more public debate. It could have been done one region at a time.

Why?

http://www.smh.com.au/news/breaking-news/chamber-agrees-sydneys-overgoverned/2007/08/03/1185648142263.html

The Sydney Chamber of Commerce has backed calls for a major rationalisation of the city's municipal governance, saying the existing "clumsy arrangement" was stifling development.

"Sydney is spectacularly overgoverned with 43 local government areas and over 400 local government politicians," Chamber executive director Patricia Forsythe said.

Wanting to get rid of state governments is not reason not to rationalise local government. If anything it would make it more important.

Business, Liberals, should support Beattie’s rationalisation

http://blogs.theaustralian.news.com.au/letters/index.php/theaustralian/comments/business_liberals_should_support_beatties_rationalisation/

NOW is the time for the business community and dinkum Liberals to get off their backsides and support the Beattie Government's rationalisation of the delivery of local government services in Queensland.

It is patently obvious that the former system was highly inefficient, open to potential corruption and, outside the south-east of the state, was a breeding ground for National Party career hopefuls.

It would be prudent to remind all Australians that one shouldn't become "constitutionally confused" by John Howard's recent assault on federalism - local governments exist by virtue of state legislation. Voters had the chance in the 1990s to recognise local government in the Constitution, but the referendum was rejected. I seem to recall that the Coalition parties were opposed to the idea.

Sprintcyclist wrote on Aug 9^th, 2007 at 8:27pm:


Uh, try minus 9 or minus 10.

mantra - what did kennett do there ?

Overall, beatties idea has some merit. The way he did it was very dictatorial.
Surely he can't be that ignorant of how people outback feel ?
if I was living there I'ld change to a liberal voter for all elections for about 2 decades after that.

aaahhh I vaguely recall that. I'm in QLd, so the only news we get is generally QLD, based.
Had not used the net for news till recently.

Was Vic. in serious economic trouble then too ? Did kennett drag it back from the abyss ?
I'm really not sure when that was the case, think it was around then .

I think he slashed the govt workforce too, cut costs dramatically

Hi progs,
i was just discussing what happened. Are you aware of the circumstances there then ?

I have not paid that close an attention to beatties plan. Thought remore councils were being amalgamated, they are complaining as well.
I object not to beatties plan, but to his methodology.

Seems those effected are not too pleased about it


"Not one vote for forced Rosanne Barrett
August 16, 2007 12:00am

RESIDENTS of Warroo Shire in southwest Queensland have voted overwhelmingly against amalgamation in an informal poll that almost got the council sacked.

Mayor Donna Stewart said half the 700 residents had responded to the survey, with not a single vote in favour of the merger with Roma, Bungil, Bendemere and Booringa.
Have your say in our on-line pollLocal Government Minister Andrew Fraser last week threatened to dismiss the council if it proceeded with the voluntary postal survey, but later retreated from the threat, saying the poll did not constitute a formal vote.

Meanwhile, it emerged yesterday that sitting mayors may be pitted against each other if councils are sacked for holding formal referendums.

In a move that could fuel animosities between regional leaders, Mr Fraser would not rule out the possibility of appointing mayors from opposing councils to oversee another council in the event of a sacking.

About a dozen councils face the threat of dismissal over their plans to hold referendums on forced council mergers.

The State Government last month announced plans to merge 156 councils into 72."

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22250876-952,00.html