Federal Funding Possible For Amalgamations Plebiscite

The Prime Minister, John Howard, agreed today to 'have a close look' at providing Federal funding for plebiscites of Territorians affected by the Martin Government's forced Council amalgamations.

The Leader of the Opposition, Jodeen Carney, raised the matter at a meeting this morning with the Prime Minister. At present, the Federal Government has only allocated funding for plebiscites on the forced amalgamations of Councils in Queensland.

"I'm pleased the Prime Minister will consider this issue and hopeful that money will be forthcoming to give the people of the Territory a say in the forced amalgamations,” says Jodeen Carney, Leader of the Opposition.

"The Martin Government has arrogantly decided it can sweep away dozens of local Councils without explaining why this is necessary or asking the people of the Territory whether they want it.

Only yesterday in Parliament the Minister for Planning and Lands said "Do not impose something on people without at least giving them a chance to have their say in whether or not they want it”

"Council by Council plebiscites are now the only hope of injecting genuine public consultation into this botched attempt to reform Local Government in the Territory.

"The Prime Minister also indicated his disappointment at the Martin Government's belated response to the 'Little Children' report.

"He pointed to the Martin Government's intention to recruit just 16 additional police officers for remote communities as evidence of a lack of will to tackle the issue.

"The Prime Minister was also particularly critical of the Martin Government's failure to provide more housing for remote Indigenous communities.

"Despite having $100 million a year of Federal funding for Indigenous housing the Martin Government has failed to add to the housing stock of remote communities.”

Ms Carney will be joining the Prime Minister for the opening of the CLP's new offices at 229 McMillans Rd, Jingili, at 1pm today.

2007-08-29