[Greens-Media] Media release: Binding plebiscites essential on council mergers and de-mergers

[David Shoebridge]

The Greens today welcomed Labor coming on board and supporting plebiscites on local council amalgamations. The Greens have a long standing commitment to giving residents, not politicians, the final say on mergers and de-mergers. That is why we support plebiscites but say Labor must go one step further and legislate to make them binding.

Greens MP and Local Government spokesperson David Shoebridge said:

"The Greens have a long standing belief that residents, not politicians, must have the final say on mergers and de-mergers. That's why we welcome Labor coming on board.

"While a vote is a good start, it's only a start. The Greens believe that if you ask residents their opinion you need to act on it and make the result of any plebiscite binding.

"If the NSW Parliament can't be persuaded to restore democracy and agree to binding plebiscites, then we need to take a close look at Federal legislative powers to see if the Commonwealth can act.

"It's good to give people a say in plebiscites, but to be more than just a political gesture there must be a commitment to legislating to enforce the outcome of any vote.

"If a council has been sacked and merged by Mike Baird and his Liberal and National mates, then there must be an opportunity for the residents in any former council area to petition to have a plebiscite on de-merging.

"If 10% of residents in a former council area, or 250 registered voters, come together to seek a plebiscite then they must be allowed to have a binding vote on de-merging.

"Local democracy and local councils are a fundamental part of our national political make-up and it's well and truly time that we gave residents the final say on the make-up and size of their local councils," Mr Shoebridge said.

Media contact: 0408 113 952

Kym Chapple
Policy | Communications | Legislation
Office of Greens MP David Shoebridge
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