Local Government Reform Mismanaged

The CLP's Member for Solomon, David Tollner, and candidate for Lingiari, Adam Giles, have joined the growing chorus of Territorians calling on the Martin Government to push the pause button on local government reform.

"The Martin Government's bulldozer approach to local government reform is a slap in the face to local democracy,” says Dave Tollner.

"The Martin Government is acting like a petty dictator on this matter and needs to recognise that people have a right, to have a say, in local government reform.

"I'll be pressing the Prime Minister to ensure there are federal funds to cover the cost of local plebiscites on the forced amalgamations.

"I'm also particularly concerned that the Martin Government hasn't done its sums on council amalgamations and it will bite the hand of every rate payer in the Territory,” Mr Tollner said.

"The people of Darwin shouldn't be held to ransom because of a failure of the Martin Government to think things through about council amalgamations in the bush.

"Too many times the Martin Government has failed to do its sums properly and the taxpayers are left to make up the shortfall,” says Mr Tollner.

"I don't think the Martin Government has fully appreciated the depth of feelings about the forced council amalgamations below the Berrimah line,” says Adam Giles, CLP candidate for Lingiari.

"Up and down the track the message I've been getting is the same - we want a say in how this process is being handled.

"I can't understand why the Martin Government thinks it doesn't have to ask the people how they want their local governments to be reformed.

"Local Government isn't Clare Martin's plaything, it isn't the Territory Government's plaything, it is an important tier of representative government and needs to be treated as such,” says Adam Giles.

"I recognise the need for reform of local government in the Territory. What I don't understand is the jackboot approach adopted by the Martin Government.

"The Martin Government says there are compelling reasons for this reform, so it shouldn't be difficult to persuade the people of the Territory of the need for council amalgamations,” says Mr Giles.

David Tollner and Adam Giles today held a press conference outside David Tollner's office in the Mall, Darwin to announce the launch of a television advertisement stating their concerns about the forced council amalgamations.

2007-09-03