[Greens-Media] FW: Forced mergers run roughshod over democracy

[Newman, Freya (Sen L. Rhiannon)]

News, NSW

From: Newman, Freya (Sen L. Rhiannon)
Sent: Friday, 13 May 2016 10:25 AM
To: Rhiannon, Lee (Senator)
Subject: Forced mergers run roughshod over democracy

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MEDIA RELEASE
13 May 2016

Forced mergers run roughshod over democracy

Greens spokesperson for local democracy Senator Lee Rhiannon has commented on the NSW Liberal government's forced council amalgamation announcement yesterday.

'The Australian Greens see local councils as a crucial function of local government and democratic decision making, and Baird's forced mergers fly in the face of that.

 'With the merging of these forty-two councils we will see hundreds of jobs and public services lost.

'There is no mandate for the amalgamations; it is all about gerrymandering certain sections of the state.

'This is a classic display of developer driven politics and contempt for local communities from the Baird government, who have ushered in administrators to replace elected officials.

'The entire process of forced amalgamations has run roughshod over local democracy - the secret KPMG report, which the NSW government has relied upon to support its case for amalgamations, is case in point.

'In NSW the Greens will push for legislation to give every resident in every council the right to vote in a plebiscite on de-merging.


Media contact: Freya Newman 0411 669 022