NSW Nationals MPs have ignored an opportunity to stand up for their local communities and fight forced council amalgamations in NSW Parliament today.
The Labor Opposition put forward a motion calling for the Baird-Grant Government to acknowledge the widespread community opposition to the forced mergers.
Nationals MPs - of which many have publicly opposed the move in their own electorates – were called upon today to fight forced council amalgamations in parliament.
NSW Labor’s motion states that the NSW Legislative Assembly:
-
Recognises the widespread community opposition to the Baird-Grant Government’s forced council mergers;
-
Condemns the National Party for supporting the forced mergers of rural councils; and
-
Calls on the National Party to reverse its position on this issue and join with Labor to oppose forced council amalgamations across NSW.
Nationals members who have previously stated their opposition to forced mergers but failed to support the motion today included:
-
Member for Orange - Andrew Gee
-
Member for Cootamundra - Katrina Hodgkinson
-
Member for Armidale - Adam Marshall
-
Member for Monaro - John Barilaro
-
Member for Myall Lakes - Stephen Bromhead
-
Member for Bathurst - Paul Toole
This comes as the Government continues to refuse to release the $400,000 KPMG report in full – of which the Government based its entire modelling on.
Quotes attributable to Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison:
“The Baird-Grant government is flip flopping around on this issue, it’s a complete mess."
“The need for amalgamations should be evidence based and the public hasn’t been shown any solid evidence.”
Quotes attributable to Shadow Minister for Local Government Peter Primrose:
“This is yet another case of members turning into feather dusters in Macquarie Street despite strutting around like roosters in their electorates."
