17th August 2007Premier Peter Beattie should stop his political posturing and accept
that Queensland communities will get a say on the future of their local
councils, the Queensland Coalition said today.
State Coalition Leader Jeff Seeney called on the Premier to apologise
for threatening to fine or sack Mayors and councillors who just wanted
to let their communities have a say on amalgamations being forced upon
them.
“The Premier went way over the top with his attempts to shut people up
and all Queenslanders, irrespective of their views on council
amalgamations, have been rightfully appalled at his actions,” Mr Seeney
said.
“The Federal Government’s new laws aim to give communities back their
voice and Peter Beattie and his Minister should stop whinging and just
let communities have the say they desperately want.”
Mr Seeney, who spent the past two days travelling throughout his central
Queensland electorate of Callide meeting with Mayors, councillors and
constituents, said the anger towards forced council amalgamations was
not going away.
“I have no doubt public opinion and political pain at the ballot box is
the lever that will shift the Beattie Labor Government in the end,” he
said.
“I would urge councils and communities who are concerned about forced
council amalgamations in their area to ignore the Premier’s political
posturing and contact the Australian Electoral Commission as soon as
possible to arrange their local plebiscite.”
Media Contact – Jeff Popp 0438 153 857