❓ A parliamentary question regarding community dissatisfaction with the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River's rating system and the Minister's response, including a planned meeting with the council. The Minister avoids directly answering whether she supports the rate increases.
AnsweredQoN 799Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
The minister will be aware of recent widespread dissatisfaction with the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River on matters relating to its rating system and other issues. That dissatisfaction culminated in an electors’ meeting on Sunday, when approximately 500 residents passed by an overwhelming majority a resolution expressing no confidence in the councillors and calling on them to resign. (1) Why did the minister, her representative or at least someone from the Department of Local Government and Regional Development not attend this meeting? (2) Does the minister support the steep, divisive rate increases imposed by the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River? (3) I understand from media reports that the minister is meeting with the shire tomorrow, and I ask - (a) where will the meeting take place; (b) is the minister meeting the whole council or just the president; and (c) how does the minister propose to ascertain the nature and extent of the complaints raised by the community? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for his question. (1)-(3) This is a very complex issue. It is certainly not simple to resolve, given the number of people involved and the categories of ratepayers impacted on. I am aware that there was a meeting which, on my advice, was attended by between 350 and 450 people. I was interested to hear Hon Barry House say that 500 people were definitely there. Hon Barry House: I said approximately. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Okay; the numbers certainly vary. I understand that a motion of no confidence in the council was passed. The Department of Local Government and Regional Development did have a representative at that meeting. I can find out the name of the officer, who was asked to keep a watchful brief on the meeting and report back. Hon Barry House: That wasn’t made clear to the meeting. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: I reaffirm that the officer was there. Do I support the increase? It is not a simple matter of whether I support one group or another. Obviously, each group has its own reason for feeling aggrieved. I have made it quite clear that I will be meeting with representatives of that local government authority tomorrow with a view to having an open and frank discussion about the position in which the council now finds itself. What I am not prepared to do at this stage - and will be an option of absolute last resort - is suspend the council. Hon Barry House: I haven’t asked you that. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Hang on! I am telling Hon Barry House what may not happen. The Government will not spend $1 million on an inquiry, given that local government elections are due in May next year. Ultimately elected representatives of local governments are dependent on a democratic process. There are quite clearly ratepayers in this local government authority who are not happy with the decision that has been made by the council. If we cannot get a positive outcome to this matter tomorrow, it will be up to the electors in May next year to determine what happens to that local government authority.
(1) Why did the minister, her representative or at least someone from the Department of Local Government and Regional Development not attend this meeting? (2) Does the minister support the steep, divisive rate increases imposed by the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River? (3) I understand from media reports that the minister is meeting with the shire tomorrow, and I ask - (a) where will the meeting take place; (b) is the minister meeting the whole council or just the president; and (c) how does the minister propose to ascertain the nature and extent of the complaints raised by the community? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the honourable member for his question. (1)-(3) This is a very complex issue. It is certainly not simple to resolve, given the number of people involved and the categories of ratepayers impacted on. I am aware that there was a meeting which, on my advice, was attended by between 350 and 450 people. I was interested to hear Hon Barry House say that 500 people were definitely there. Hon Barry House: I said approximately. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Okay; the numbers certainly vary. I understand that a motion of no confidence in the council was passed. The Department of Local Government and Regional Development did have a representative at that meeting. I can find out the name of the officer, who was asked to keep a watchful brief on the meeting and report back. Hon Barry House: That wasn’t made clear to the meeting. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: I reaffirm that the officer was there. Do I support the increase? It is not a simple matter of whether I support one group or another. Obviously, each group has its own reason for feeling aggrieved. I have made it quite clear that I will be meeting with representatives of that local government authority tomorrow with a view to having an open and frank discussion about the position in which the council now finds itself. What I am not prepared to do at this stage - and will be an option of absolute last resort - is suspend the council. Hon Barry House: I haven’t asked you that. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Hang on! I am telling Hon Barry House what may not happen. The Government will not spend $1 million on an inquiry, given that local government elections are due in May next year. Ultimately elected representatives of local governments are dependent on a democratic process. There are quite clearly ratepayers in this local government authority who are not happy with the decision that has been made by the council. If we cannot get a positive outcome to this matter tomorrow, it will be up to the electors in May next year to determine what happens to that local government authority.
(2) Does the minister support the steep, divisive rate increases imposed by the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River? (3) I understand from media reports that the minister is meeting with the shire tomorrow, and I ask - (a) where will the meeting take place; (b) is the minister meeting the whole council or just the president; and (c) how does the minister propose to ascertain the nature and extent of the complaints raised by the community? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the honourable member for his question. (1)-(3) This is a very complex issue. It is certainly not simple to resolve, given the number of people involved and the categories of ratepayers impacted on. I am aware that there was a meeting which, on my advice, was attended by between 350 and 450 people. I was interested to hear Hon Barry House say that 500 people were definitely there. Hon Barry House: I said approximately. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Okay; the numbers certainly vary. I understand that a motion of no confidence in the council was passed. The Department of Local Government and Regional Development did have a representative at that meeting. I can find out the name of the officer, who was asked to keep a watchful brief on the meeting and report back. Hon Barry House: That wasn’t made clear to the meeting. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: I reaffirm that the officer was there. Do I support the increase? It is not a simple matter of whether I support one group or another. Obviously, each group has its own reason for feeling aggrieved. I have made it quite clear that I will be meeting with representatives of that local government authority tomorrow with a view to having an open and frank discussion about the position in which the council now finds itself. What I am not prepared to do at this stage - and will be an option of absolute last resort - is suspend the council. Hon Barry House: I haven’t asked you that. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Hang on! I am telling Hon Barry House what may not happen. The Government will not spend $1 million on an inquiry, given that local government elections are due in May next year. Ultimately elected representatives of local governments are dependent on a democratic process. There are quite clearly ratepayers in this local government authority who are not happy with the decision that has been made by the council. If we cannot get a positive outcome to this matter tomorrow, it will be up to the electors in May next year to determine what happens to that local government authority.
(3) I understand from media reports that the minister is meeting with the shire tomorrow, and I ask - (a) where will the meeting take place; (b) is the minister meeting the whole council or just the president; and (c) how does the minister propose to ascertain the nature and extent of the complaints raised by the community? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the honourable member for his question. (1)-(3) This is a very complex issue. It is certainly not simple to resolve, given the number of people involved and the categories of ratepayers impacted on. I am aware that there was a meeting which, on my advice, was attended by between 350 and 450 people. I was interested to hear Hon Barry House say that 500 people were definitely there. Hon Barry House: I said approximately. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Okay; the numbers certainly vary. I understand that a motion of no confidence in the council was passed. The Department of Local Government and Regional Development did have a representative at that meeting. I can find out the name of the officer, who was asked to keep a watchful brief on the meeting and report back. Hon Barry House: That wasn’t made clear to the meeting. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: I reaffirm that the officer was there. Do I support the increase? It is not a simple matter of whether I support one group or another. Obviously, each group has its own reason for feeling aggrieved. I have made it quite clear that I will be meeting with representatives of that local government authority tomorrow with a view to having an open and frank discussion about the position in which the council now finds itself. What I am not prepared to do at this stage - and will be an option of absolute last resort - is suspend the council. Hon Barry House: I haven’t asked you that. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Hang on! I am telling Hon Barry House what may not happen. The Government will not spend $1 million on an inquiry, given that local government elections are due in May next year. Ultimately elected representatives of local governments are dependent on a democratic process. There are quite clearly ratepayers in this local government authority who are not happy with the decision that has been made by the council. If we cannot get a positive outcome to this matter tomorrow, it will be up to the electors in May next year to determine what happens to that local government authority.
(b) is the minister meeting the whole council or just the president; and (c) how does the minister propose to ascertain the nature and extent of the complaints raised by the community?
(c) how does the minister propose to ascertain the nature and extent of the complaints raised by the community?
I thank the honourable member for his question. (1)-(3) This is a very complex issue. It is certainly not simple to resolve, given the number of people involved and the categories of ratepayers impacted on. I am aware that there was a meeting which, on my advice, was attended by between 350 and 450 people. I was interested to hear Hon Barry House say that 500 people were definitely there. Hon Barry House: I said approximately. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Okay; the numbers certainly vary. I understand that a motion of no confidence in the council was passed. The Department of Local Government and Regional Development did have a representative at that meeting. I can find out the name of the officer, who was asked to keep a watchful brief on the meeting and report back. Hon Barry House: That wasn’t made clear to the meeting. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: I reaffirm that the officer was there. Do I support the increase? It is not a simple matter of whether I support one group or another. Obviously, each group has its own reason for feeling aggrieved. I have made it quite clear that I will be meeting with representatives of that local government authority tomorrow with a view to having an open and frank discussion about the position in which the council now finds itself. What I am not prepared to do at this stage - and will be an option of absolute last resort - is suspend the council. Hon Barry House: I haven’t asked you that. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Hang on! I am telling Hon Barry House what may not happen. The Government will not spend $1 million on an inquiry, given that local government elections are due in May next year. Ultimately elected representatives of local governments are dependent on a democratic process. There are quite clearly ratepayers in this local government authority who are not happy with the decision that has been made by the council. If we cannot get a positive outcome to this matter tomorrow, it will be up to the electors in May next year to determine what happens to that local government authority.
(1)-(3) This is a very complex issue. It is certainly not simple to resolve, given the number of people involved and the categories of ratepayers impacted on. I am aware that there was a meeting which, on my advice, was attended by between 350 and 450 people. I was interested to hear Hon Barry House say that 500 people were definitely there. Hon Barry House: I said approximately. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Okay; the numbers certainly vary. I understand that a motion of no confidence in the council was passed. The Department of Local Government and Regional Development did have a representative at that meeting. I can find out the name of the officer, who was asked to keep a watchful brief on the meeting and report back. Hon Barry House: That wasn’t made clear to the meeting. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: I reaffirm that the officer was there. Do I support the increase? It is not a simple matter of whether I support one group or another. Obviously, each group has its own reason for feeling aggrieved. I have made it quite clear that I will be meeting with representatives of that local government authority tomorrow with a view to having an open and frank discussion about the position in which the council now finds itself. What I am not prepared to do at this stage - and will be an option of absolute last resort - is suspend the council. Hon Barry House: I haven’t asked you that. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Hang on! I am telling Hon Barry House what may not happen. The Government will not spend $1 million on an inquiry, given that local government elections are due in May next year. Ultimately elected representatives of local governments are dependent on a democratic process. There are quite clearly ratepayers in this local government authority who are not happy with the decision that has been made by the council. If we cannot get a positive outcome to this matter tomorrow, it will be up to the electors in May next year to determine what happens to that local government authority.
Hon Barry House: I said approximately. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Okay; the numbers certainly vary. I understand that a motion of no confidence in the council was passed. The Department of Local Government and Regional Development did have a representative at that meeting. I can find out the name of the officer, who was asked to keep a watchful brief on the meeting and report back. Hon Barry House: That wasn’t made clear to the meeting. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: I reaffirm that the officer was there. Do I support the increase? It is not a simple matter of whether I support one group or another. Obviously, each group has its own reason for feeling aggrieved. I have made it quite clear that I will be meeting with representatives of that local government authority tomorrow with a view to having an open and frank discussion about the position in which the council now finds itself. What I am not prepared to do at this stage - and will be an option of absolute last resort - is suspend the council. Hon Barry House: I haven’t asked you that. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Hang on! I am telling Hon Barry House what may not happen. The Government will not spend $1 million on an inquiry, given that local government elections are due in May next year. Ultimately elected representatives of local governments are dependent on a democratic process. There are quite clearly ratepayers in this local government authority who are not happy with the decision that has been made by the council. If we cannot get a positive outcome to this matter tomorrow, it will be up to the electors in May next year to determine what happens to that local government authority.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Okay; the numbers certainly vary. I understand that a motion of no confidence in the council was passed. The Department of Local Government and Regional Development did have a representative at that meeting. I can find out the name of the officer, who was asked to keep a watchful brief on the meeting and report back. Hon Barry House: That wasn’t made clear to the meeting. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: I reaffirm that the officer was there. Do I support the increase? It is not a simple matter of whether I support one group or another. Obviously, each group has its own reason for feeling aggrieved. I have made it quite clear that I will be meeting with representatives of that local government authority tomorrow with a view to having an open and frank discussion about the position in which the council now finds itself. What I am not prepared to do at this stage - and will be an option of absolute last resort - is suspend the council. Hon Barry House: I haven’t asked you that. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Hang on! I am telling Hon Barry House what may not happen. The Government will not spend $1 million on an inquiry, given that local government elections are due in May next year. Ultimately elected representatives of local governments are dependent on a democratic process. There are quite clearly ratepayers in this local government authority who are not happy with the decision that has been made by the council. If we cannot get a positive outcome to this matter tomorrow, it will be up to the electors in May next year to determine what happens to that local government authority.
Hon Barry House: That wasn’t made clear to the meeting. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: I reaffirm that the officer was there. Do I support the increase? It is not a simple matter of whether I support one group or another. Obviously, each group has its own reason for feeling aggrieved. I have made it quite clear that I will be meeting with representatives of that local government authority tomorrow with a view to having an open and frank discussion about the position in which the council now finds itself. What I am not prepared to do at this stage - and will be an option of absolute last resort - is suspend the council. Hon Barry House: I haven’t asked you that. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Hang on! I am telling Hon Barry House what may not happen. The Government will not spend $1 million on an inquiry, given that local government elections are due in May next year. Ultimately elected representatives of local governments are dependent on a democratic process. There are quite clearly ratepayers in this local government authority who are not happy with the decision that has been made by the council. If we cannot get a positive outcome to this matter tomorrow, it will be up to the electors in May next year to determine what happens to that local government authority.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: I reaffirm that the officer was there. Do I support the increase? It is not a simple matter of whether I support one group or another. Obviously, each group has its own reason for feeling aggrieved. I have made it quite clear that I will be meeting with representatives of that local government authority tomorrow with a view to having an open and frank discussion about the position in which the council now finds itself. What I am not prepared to do at this stage - and will be an option of absolute last resort - is suspend the council. Hon Barry House: I haven’t asked you that. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Hang on! I am telling Hon Barry House what may not happen. The Government will not spend $1 million on an inquiry, given that local government elections are due in May next year. Ultimately elected representatives of local governments are dependent on a democratic process. There are quite clearly ratepayers in this local government authority who are not happy with the decision that has been made by the council. If we cannot get a positive outcome to this matter tomorrow, it will be up to the electors in May next year to determine what happens to that local government authority.
I have made it quite clear that I will be meeting with representatives of that local government authority tomorrow with a view to having an open and frank discussion about the position in which the council now finds itself. What I am not prepared to do at this stage - and will be an option of absolute last resort - is suspend the council. Hon Barry House: I haven’t asked you that. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Hang on! I am telling Hon Barry House what may not happen. The Government will not spend $1 million on an inquiry, given that local government elections are due in May next year. Ultimately elected representatives of local governments are dependent on a democratic process. There are quite clearly ratepayers in this local government authority who are not happy with the decision that has been made by the council. If we cannot get a positive outcome to this matter tomorrow, it will be up to the electors in May next year to determine what happens to that local government authority.
Hon Barry House: I haven’t asked you that. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Hang on! I am telling Hon Barry House what may not happen. The Government will not spend $1 million on an inquiry, given that local government elections are due in May next year. Ultimately elected representatives of local governments are dependent on a democratic process. There are quite clearly ratepayers in this local government authority who are not happy with the decision that has been made by the council. If we cannot get a positive outcome to this matter tomorrow, it will be up to the electors in May next year to determine what happens to that local government authority.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Hang on! I am telling Hon Barry House what may not happen. The Government will not spend $1 million on an inquiry, given that local government elections are due in May next year. Ultimately elected representatives of local governments are dependent on a democratic process. There are quite clearly ratepayers in this local government authority who are not happy with the decision that has been made by the council. If we cannot get a positive outcome to this matter tomorrow, it will be up to the electors in May next year to determine what happens to that local government authority.
(1) Why did the minister, her representative or at least someone from the Department of Local Government and Regional Development not attend this meeting? (2) Does the minister support the steep, divisive rate increases imposed by the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River? (3) I understand from media reports that the minister is meeting with the shire tomorrow, and I ask - (a) where will the meeting take place; (b) is the minister meeting the whole council or just the president; and (c) how does the minister propose to ascertain the nature and extent of the complaints raised by the community? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the honourable member for his question. (1)-(3) This is a very complex issue. It is certainly not simple to resolve, given the number of people involved and the categories of ratepayers impacted on. I am aware that there was a meeting which, on my advice, was attended by between 350 and 450 people. I was interested to hear Hon Barry House say that 500 people were definitely there. Hon Barry House: I said approximately. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Okay; the numbers certainly vary. I understand that a motion of no confidence in the council was passed. The Department of Local Government and Regional Development did have a representative at that meeting. I can find out the name of the officer, who was asked to keep a watchful brief on the meeting and report back. Hon Barry House: That wasn’t made clear to the meeting. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: I reaffirm that the officer was there. Do I support the increase? It is not a simple matter of whether I support one group or another. Obviously, each group has its own reason for feeling aggrieved. I have made it quite clear that I will be meeting with representatives of that local government authority tomorrow with a view to having an open and frank discussion about the position in which the council now finds itself. What I am not prepared to do at this stage - and will be an option of absolute last resort - is suspend the council. Hon Barry House: I haven’t asked you that. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Hang on! I am telling Hon Barry House what may not happen. The Government will not spend $1 million on an inquiry, given that local government elections are due in May next year. Ultimately elected representatives of local governments are dependent on a democratic process. There are quite clearly ratepayers in this local government authority who are not happy with the decision that has been made by the council. If we cannot get a positive outcome to this matter tomorrow, it will be up to the electors in May next year to determine what happens to that local government authority.
(2) Does the minister support the steep, divisive rate increases imposed by the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River? (3) I understand from media reports that the minister is meeting with the shire tomorrow, and I ask - (a) where will the meeting take place; (b) is the minister meeting the whole council or just the president; and (c) how does the minister propose to ascertain the nature and extent of the complaints raised by the community? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the honourable member for his question. (1)-(3) This is a very complex issue. It is certainly not simple to resolve, given the number of people involved and the categories of ratepayers impacted on. I am aware that there was a meeting which, on my advice, was attended by between 350 and 450 people. I was interested to hear Hon Barry House say that 500 people were definitely there. Hon Barry House: I said approximately. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Okay; the numbers certainly vary. I understand that a motion of no confidence in the council was passed. The Department of Local Government and Regional Development did have a representative at that meeting. I can find out the name of the officer, who was asked to keep a watchful brief on the meeting and report back. Hon Barry House: That wasn’t made clear to the meeting. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: I reaffirm that the officer was there. Do I support the increase? It is not a simple matter of whether I support one group or another. Obviously, each group has its own reason for feeling aggrieved. I have made it quite clear that I will be meeting with representatives of that local government authority tomorrow with a view to having an open and frank discussion about the position in which the council now finds itself. What I am not prepared to do at this stage - and will be an option of absolute last resort - is suspend the council. Hon Barry House: I haven’t asked you that. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Hang on! I am telling Hon Barry House what may not happen. The Government will not spend $1 million on an inquiry, given that local government elections are due in May next year. Ultimately elected representatives of local governments are dependent on a democratic process. There are quite clearly ratepayers in this local government authority who are not happy with the decision that has been made by the council. If we cannot get a positive outcome to this matter tomorrow, it will be up to the electors in May next year to determine what happens to that local government authority.
(3) I understand from media reports that the minister is meeting with the shire tomorrow, and I ask - (a) where will the meeting take place; (b) is the minister meeting the whole council or just the president; and (c) how does the minister propose to ascertain the nature and extent of the complaints raised by the community? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the honourable member for his question. (1)-(3) This is a very complex issue. It is certainly not simple to resolve, given the number of people involved and the categories of ratepayers impacted on. I am aware that there was a meeting which, on my advice, was attended by between 350 and 450 people. I was interested to hear Hon Barry House say that 500 people were definitely there. Hon Barry House: I said approximately. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Okay; the numbers certainly vary. I understand that a motion of no confidence in the council was passed. The Department of Local Government and Regional Development did have a representative at that meeting. I can find out the name of the officer, who was asked to keep a watchful brief on the meeting and report back. Hon Barry House: That wasn’t made clear to the meeting. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: I reaffirm that the officer was there. Do I support the increase? It is not a simple matter of whether I support one group or another. Obviously, each group has its own reason for feeling aggrieved. I have made it quite clear that I will be meeting with representatives of that local government authority tomorrow with a view to having an open and frank discussion about the position in which the council now finds itself. What I am not prepared to do at this stage - and will be an option of absolute last resort - is suspend the council. Hon Barry House: I haven’t asked you that. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Hang on! I am telling Hon Barry House what may not happen. The Government will not spend $1 million on an inquiry, given that local government elections are due in May next year. Ultimately elected representatives of local governments are dependent on a democratic process. There are quite clearly ratepayers in this local government authority who are not happy with the decision that has been made by the council. If we cannot get a positive outcome to this matter tomorrow, it will be up to the electors in May next year to determine what happens to that local government authority.
(b) is the minister meeting the whole council or just the president; and (c) how does the minister propose to ascertain the nature and extent of the complaints raised by the community?
(c) how does the minister propose to ascertain the nature and extent of the complaints raised by the community?
I thank the honourable member for his question. (1)-(3) This is a very complex issue. It is certainly not simple to resolve, given the number of people involved and the categories of ratepayers impacted on. I am aware that there was a meeting which, on my advice, was attended by between 350 and 450 people. I was interested to hear Hon Barry House say that 500 people were definitely there. Hon Barry House: I said approximately. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Okay; the numbers certainly vary. I understand that a motion of no confidence in the council was passed. The Department of Local Government and Regional Development did have a representative at that meeting. I can find out the name of the officer, who was asked to keep a watchful brief on the meeting and report back. Hon Barry House: That wasn’t made clear to the meeting. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: I reaffirm that the officer was there. Do I support the increase? It is not a simple matter of whether I support one group or another. Obviously, each group has its own reason for feeling aggrieved. I have made it quite clear that I will be meeting with representatives of that local government authority tomorrow with a view to having an open and frank discussion about the position in which the council now finds itself. What I am not prepared to do at this stage - and will be an option of absolute last resort - is suspend the council. Hon Barry House: I haven’t asked you that. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Hang on! I am telling Hon Barry House what may not happen. The Government will not spend $1 million on an inquiry, given that local government elections are due in May next year. Ultimately elected representatives of local governments are dependent on a democratic process. There are quite clearly ratepayers in this local government authority who are not happy with the decision that has been made by the council. If we cannot get a positive outcome to this matter tomorrow, it will be up to the electors in May next year to determine what happens to that local government authority.
(1)-(3) This is a very complex issue. It is certainly not simple to resolve, given the number of people involved and the categories of ratepayers impacted on. I am aware that there was a meeting which, on my advice, was attended by between 350 and 450 people. I was interested to hear Hon Barry House say that 500 people were definitely there. Hon Barry House: I said approximately. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Okay; the numbers certainly vary. I understand that a motion of no confidence in the council was passed. The Department of Local Government and Regional Development did have a representative at that meeting. I can find out the name of the officer, who was asked to keep a watchful brief on the meeting and report back. Hon Barry House: That wasn’t made clear to the meeting. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: I reaffirm that the officer was there. Do I support the increase? It is not a simple matter of whether I support one group or another. Obviously, each group has its own reason for feeling aggrieved. I have made it quite clear that I will be meeting with representatives of that local government authority tomorrow with a view to having an open and frank discussion about the position in which the council now finds itself. What I am not prepared to do at this stage - and will be an option of absolute last resort - is suspend the council. Hon Barry House: I haven’t asked you that. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Hang on! I am telling Hon Barry House what may not happen. The Government will not spend $1 million on an inquiry, given that local government elections are due in May next year. Ultimately elected representatives of local governments are dependent on a democratic process. There are quite clearly ratepayers in this local government authority who are not happy with the decision that has been made by the council. If we cannot get a positive outcome to this matter tomorrow, it will be up to the electors in May next year to determine what happens to that local government authority.
Hon Barry House: I said approximately. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Okay; the numbers certainly vary. I understand that a motion of no confidence in the council was passed. The Department of Local Government and Regional Development did have a representative at that meeting. I can find out the name of the officer, who was asked to keep a watchful brief on the meeting and report back. Hon Barry House: That wasn’t made clear to the meeting. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: I reaffirm that the officer was there. Do I support the increase? It is not a simple matter of whether I support one group or another. Obviously, each group has its own reason for feeling aggrieved. I have made it quite clear that I will be meeting with representatives of that local government authority tomorrow with a view to having an open and frank discussion about the position in which the council now finds itself. What I am not prepared to do at this stage - and will be an option of absolute last resort - is suspend the council. Hon Barry House: I haven’t asked you that. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Hang on! I am telling Hon Barry House what may not happen. The Government will not spend $1 million on an inquiry, given that local government elections are due in May next year. Ultimately elected representatives of local governments are dependent on a democratic process. There are quite clearly ratepayers in this local government authority who are not happy with the decision that has been made by the council. If we cannot get a positive outcome to this matter tomorrow, it will be up to the electors in May next year to determine what happens to that local government authority.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Okay; the numbers certainly vary. I understand that a motion of no confidence in the council was passed. The Department of Local Government and Regional Development did have a representative at that meeting. I can find out the name of the officer, who was asked to keep a watchful brief on the meeting and report back. Hon Barry House: That wasn’t made clear to the meeting. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: I reaffirm that the officer was there. Do I support the increase? It is not a simple matter of whether I support one group or another. Obviously, each group has its own reason for feeling aggrieved. I have made it quite clear that I will be meeting with representatives of that local government authority tomorrow with a view to having an open and frank discussion about the position in which the council now finds itself. What I am not prepared to do at this stage - and will be an option of absolute last resort - is suspend the council. Hon Barry House: I haven’t asked you that. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Hang on! I am telling Hon Barry House what may not happen. The Government will not spend $1 million on an inquiry, given that local government elections are due in May next year. Ultimately elected representatives of local governments are dependent on a democratic process. There are quite clearly ratepayers in this local government authority who are not happy with the decision that has been made by the council. If we cannot get a positive outcome to this matter tomorrow, it will be up to the electors in May next year to determine what happens to that local government authority.
Hon Barry House: That wasn’t made clear to the meeting. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: I reaffirm that the officer was there. Do I support the increase? It is not a simple matter of whether I support one group or another. Obviously, each group has its own reason for feeling aggrieved. I have made it quite clear that I will be meeting with representatives of that local government authority tomorrow with a view to having an open and frank discussion about the position in which the council now finds itself. What I am not prepared to do at this stage - and will be an option of absolute last resort - is suspend the council. Hon Barry House: I haven’t asked you that. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Hang on! I am telling Hon Barry House what may not happen. The Government will not spend $1 million on an inquiry, given that local government elections are due in May next year. Ultimately elected representatives of local governments are dependent on a democratic process. There are quite clearly ratepayers in this local government authority who are not happy with the decision that has been made by the council. If we cannot get a positive outcome to this matter tomorrow, it will be up to the electors in May next year to determine what happens to that local government authority.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: I reaffirm that the officer was there. Do I support the increase? It is not a simple matter of whether I support one group or another. Obviously, each group has its own reason for feeling aggrieved. I have made it quite clear that I will be meeting with representatives of that local government authority tomorrow with a view to having an open and frank discussion about the position in which the council now finds itself. What I am not prepared to do at this stage - and will be an option of absolute last resort - is suspend the council. Hon Barry House: I haven’t asked you that. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Hang on! I am telling Hon Barry House what may not happen. The Government will not spend $1 million on an inquiry, given that local government elections are due in May next year. Ultimately elected representatives of local governments are dependent on a democratic process. There are quite clearly ratepayers in this local government authority who are not happy with the decision that has been made by the council. If we cannot get a positive outcome to this matter tomorrow, it will be up to the electors in May next year to determine what happens to that local government authority.
I have made it quite clear that I will be meeting with representatives of that local government authority tomorrow with a view to having an open and frank discussion about the position in which the council now finds itself. What I am not prepared to do at this stage - and will be an option of absolute last resort - is suspend the council. Hon Barry House: I haven’t asked you that. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Hang on! I am telling Hon Barry House what may not happen. The Government will not spend $1 million on an inquiry, given that local government elections are due in May next year. Ultimately elected representatives of local governments are dependent on a democratic process. There are quite clearly ratepayers in this local government authority who are not happy with the decision that has been made by the council. If we cannot get a positive outcome to this matter tomorrow, it will be up to the electors in May next year to determine what happens to that local government authority.
Hon Barry House: I haven’t asked you that. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Hang on! I am telling Hon Barry House what may not happen. The Government will not spend $1 million on an inquiry, given that local government elections are due in May next year. Ultimately elected representatives of local governments are dependent on a democratic process. There are quite clearly ratepayers in this local government authority who are not happy with the decision that has been made by the council. If we cannot get a positive outcome to this matter tomorrow, it will be up to the electors in May next year to determine what happens to that local government authority.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH: Hang on! I am telling Hon Barry House what may not happen. The Government will not spend $1 million on an inquiry, given that local government elections are due in May next year. Ultimately elected representatives of local governments are dependent on a democratic process. There are quite clearly ratepayers in this local government authority who are not happy with the decision that has been made by the council. If we cannot get a positive outcome to this matter tomorrow, it will be up to the electors in May next year to determine what happens to that local government authority.
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