15th January 2008With only eight weeks to Queensland’s contentious local government elections, there are moves afoot to stage a Democratic Rights Day, thereby highlighting further public unrest over issues like forced amalgamations. The over-arching umbrella … Continue Reading
19th December 2007The overwhelming results of plebiscites on forced council amalgamations in Queensland have made it absolutely clear that the State Government has gone down the wrong path, says federal Nationals leader, Warren Truss. Mr … Continue Reading
12th December 2007The Bligh Labor Government should listen to the people voting in theplebiscites on forced council mergers, the Queensland Coalition saidtoday. Queensland Coalition Shadow Minister for Local Government Howard Hobbssaid Labor’s approach of ignoring … Continue Reading
10th December 2007Queenslanders outside the South-East affected by forced councilamalgamations have till Friday (December 14) to have their say, theState Coalition said today. Shadow Local Government Minister Howard Hobbs said while the ballot forthe six … Continue Reading
9th November 2007Prime Minister, John Howard, has admitted the Federal Government did play a role in banning land clearing, but won’t comment on whether farmers should be compensated for this or be recognised for their … Continue Reading
25th October 2007The Queensland Government has been forced to defend its handling of council amalgamations on two new fronts, including a claim by the Local Government Association of Queensland that the process of merging shires … Continue Reading
16th October 2007Confirmation council plebiscites won’t be held until after the November24 Federal election made it doubly important for Queenslanders concerned over Labor’s forced amalgamations to voteagainst Kevin Rudd, the State Coalition said today. Shadow Minister … Continue Reading
15th October 2007The Federal Election is the first chance voters in Queensland will getto have a say on forced council amalgamations, the Queensland Coalitionsaid today. Shadow Minister for Local Government, Howard Hobbs said revelations madepublic … Continue Reading
12th October 2007Unelected union representatives are dominating the forced councilamalgamations transition process, with revelations this week up to 54union representatives are sitting on one of the regional committeeswhich will determine how the new councils will … Continue Reading
24th September 2007Over 700,000 people and 87 Councils have demanded a say on forcedcouncil amalgamations by engaging the Australian Electoral Commission(AEC) to conduct plebiscites of electors in their area, Shadow Ministerfor Main Roads and Local … Continue Reading
24th September 2007Some 87 Queensland councils will defy the State Government and hold plebiscites on whether or not shire amalgamations should go ahead. But holding plebiscites on forced council mergers in areas not affected by … Continue Reading
11th September 2007Queensland Premier, Peter Beattie has announced his retirement as the State’s leader, bowing out of Parliament as of Thursday. Mr Beattie has been the State’s Premier since 1998. He told a Brisbane Press … Continue Reading
10th September 2007Shadow Minister for Local Government, Planning and Sport Howard Hobbs today warned Queensland unions that threatening Council workers affected by Council amalgamations with the sack unless they paid a union membership was akin … Continue Reading
3rd September 2007Federal Labor Leader Kevin Rudd will be the target of an anti-council amalgamation campaign to be launched today on Queensland’s Noosa beach. The Friends of Noosa group was formed in protest of the … Continue Reading
20th August 2007Queensland Premier Peter Beattie’s decision to withdraw threats to sack councils if they conduct amalgamation ballots has been hailed as a victory for the people by Prime Minister John Howard. Mr Beattie yesterday … Continue Reading