Syd Councils

[Stafford Sanders]

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Lee Rhiannon MLC (NSW) The Greens
Media Release 18/12/00

Partisan Minister Should Not Decide Council Boundaries


The Greens have called on Local Government Minister Harry Woods to stand aside from making or influencing decisions on local government boundaries.
Today is the deadline for submissions to the government-initiated Sproats Inquiry into the structure of eight inner-Sydney local councils - and the Minister's office has told the Greens there will be no consideration of late submissions. 
"This inquiry is critical to the future of local government democracy," says The Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon. "And while Federal and State electoral boundaries are set by impartial authorities, local boundaries are ultimately decided by the Minister.
"Under NSW law, it's the Minister who must approve any changes. 
"And there's the rub - because Mr Woods is also a senior figure in the ALP, a party which has recently lost outright control over Leichhardt, Waverley and South Sydney councils.
"It would be tempting for the ALP to ignore the wishes of residents and carve up the inner Sydney councils to restore and increase Labor majorities right across the city.
"It would be tempting to maintain and even try to extend the unfair 'two-Councillor ward' system which allows Labor to hold council seats far out of proportion to their public support.
"Such moves would decimate independent and small-party representation, and would make a mockery of local democracy.
"We call on Mr Woods to acknowledge his conflict of interest and to set up an independent authority capable of making these decisions in a fair, non-partisan way.
"We also repeat our call for no amalgamations or boundary changes without referenda. Ultimately, it's the people who should decide - not the ALP."  


Media inquiries: 	Stafford Sanders   	ph. (02) 9230 3549 or 0409 787 911	


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