Council Amalgamations Anger

The Minister for Local Government, Elliott McAdam, continues to flounder in the debate swirling around forced Council amalgamations, says the Territory Opposition.

"Last night the Minister wilted in the face of a hostile audience at Berry Springs,” says Matt Conlan, Shadow Minister for Local government.

"Unfortunately, today in Parliament the Minister's performance was no more assured.

"The Minister has no reasonable explanation as to why the legislation enabling the amalgamations is being jammed through Parliament.

"The Minister has no coherent argument regarding the benefits that will flow to the people of the Territory as a result of these amalgamations.

"Indeed the Minister has yet to present a detailed cost benefit analysis supporting the proposal.

"At last night's meeting the Minister initially claimed that the amalgamations would result in the creation of a 1000 jobs before being forced to retreat to the more plausible position that it would result in job losses.

"All of this confirms to me that the Martin Government needs to put the handbrake on what has become a runaway failure.

"The Martin Government should step back and start a genuine consultation process that allows all Territorians to engage meaningfully in the debate.

"The Martin Government needs to make the case for reform and put that case before Territorians by way of a plebiscite.

"The very process of arguing the benefits of reforms at a plebiscite should provide Minister with a better understanding of why this reform is necessary.”

2007-08-28