❓ Opposition questions the Premier's local government amalgamation policy, citing costs and ignored reports. The Premier defends the policy, highlighting inefficiencies and the need for reform, accusing the opposition of inaction.
AnsweredQoN 501Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
LOCAL GOVERNMENT — AMALGAMATIONS
501. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier:
I refer to the Premier's misguided push for forced
local government amalgamations.
(1) Will the
Premier remove the so-called Dadour local poll provisions from the Local
Government Act?
(2) Why has the government ignored the boundaries that the
Robson report determined?
(3) When the
leading academic on local governments in Australia, Dr Brian Dollery, claims
that forced amalgamations will cost significantly more than they will save,
where is the government's business case to justify the position?
501. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier:
I refer to the Premier's misguided push for forced
local government amalgamations.
(1) Will the
Premier remove the so-called Dadour local poll provisions from the Local
Government Act?
(2) Why has the government ignored the boundaries that the
Robson report determined?
(3) When the
leading academic on local governments in Australia, Dr Brian Dollery, claims
that forced amalgamations will cost significantly more than they will save,
where is the government's business case to justify the position?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3)
''Where is the government's business case?'' Talk about
an example of someone who could never make a decision! Business case!
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members!
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Once again, this is an example of the Labor Party never being
up for reform, and it will be interesting, if legislation comes before the
Parliament —
Mr
M. McGowan : Interesting?
Mr
B.S. Wyatt : If? Will it? When? Tell us, Premier!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : If legislation comes before this Parliament, it will be
interesting to see how the Labor Party votes.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Cockburn!
Mr
M.P. Murray : It's like Uncle Bill's running the show!
The
SPEAKER : Thank you, member for Collie–Preston. Let us hear the
Premier's answer.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Again—the obvious point—there are 140 local
authorities in Western Australia. Queensland has twice our population and half
the number of local authorities. There are many local authorities in country
areas that have responsibility for fewer than 500 people. There are probably
well over a couple of hundred primary schools in this state that have bigger
populations. There are local authorities in the city area, particularly in the
western suburbs, that have fewer —
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is just a farcical performance.
The
SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : There are local authorities in Perth, mainly in the western
suburbs, that oversight and manage an area of less than five square kilometres.
As to the need for reform, the Western Australian Local Government Association
has argued the case for reform, as has the Robson report and other reports over
the years. We are not going to shy away from that. Yes, it creates issues for
local members in their electorates; I got abused the other day by a group of
western suburbs people—you know, cop that!
Mr
B.S. Wyatt : Was that in the party room?
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : No! I actually got a round of applause in the party room this
morning, and that is pretty rare!
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Very warm, it was.
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : No, it was—a round of applause.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : The easy thing to do—what the Labor Party would do—would
be to simply walk away from it. We will not do that. We recognise that there
are differing points of view and we recognise there are people who are
passionately against change, but I think the vast majority of people actually
are more interested in the level of service they get and more concerned about
rate increases, which this year, across the board, was seven per cent. I think
that is what they are concerned about. The media should ask the Leader of the
Opposition what his view is. If the Labor Party believes 140 local authorities
will serve Western Australia well for this century, it is wrong. If the Labor
Party believes that local authorities having responsibility for fewer than 500 people
will be good for their citizens, it is wrong. If it believes that metropolitan
authorities covering an area of less than five square kilometres is rational,
it is wrong. The Labor Party is not up to reform, but I tell you what, the
Liberal‑National government is and it will achieve the reform.
Mr
F.A. Alban interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Swan Hills, I do not want you getting hoarse; I call
you to order for the first time.
''Where is the government's business case?'' Talk about
an example of someone who could never make a decision! Business case!
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members!
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Once again, this is an example of the Labor Party never being
up for reform, and it will be interesting, if legislation comes before the
Parliament —
Mr
M. McGowan : Interesting?
Mr
B.S. Wyatt : If? Will it? When? Tell us, Premier!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : If legislation comes before this Parliament, it will be
interesting to see how the Labor Party votes.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Cockburn!
Mr
M.P. Murray : It's like Uncle Bill's running the show!
The
SPEAKER : Thank you, member for Collie–Preston. Let us hear the
Premier's answer.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Again—the obvious point—there are 140 local
authorities in Western Australia. Queensland has twice our population and half
the number of local authorities. There are many local authorities in country
areas that have responsibility for fewer than 500 people. There are probably
well over a couple of hundred primary schools in this state that have bigger
populations. There are local authorities in the city area, particularly in the
western suburbs, that have fewer —
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is just a farcical performance.
The
SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : There are local authorities in Perth, mainly in the western
suburbs, that oversight and manage an area of less than five square kilometres.
As to the need for reform, the Western Australian Local Government Association
has argued the case for reform, as has the Robson report and other reports over
the years. We are not going to shy away from that. Yes, it creates issues for
local members in their electorates; I got abused the other day by a group of
western suburbs people—you know, cop that!
Mr
B.S. Wyatt : Was that in the party room?
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : No! I actually got a round of applause in the party room this
morning, and that is pretty rare!
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Very warm, it was.
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : No, it was—a round of applause.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : The easy thing to do—what the Labor Party would do—would
be to simply walk away from it. We will not do that. We recognise that there
are differing points of view and we recognise there are people who are
passionately against change, but I think the vast majority of people actually
are more interested in the level of service they get and more concerned about
rate increases, which this year, across the board, was seven per cent. I think
that is what they are concerned about. The media should ask the Leader of the
Opposition what his view is. If the Labor Party believes 140 local authorities
will serve Western Australia well for this century, it is wrong. If the Labor
Party believes that local authorities having responsibility for fewer than 500 people
will be good for their citizens, it is wrong. If it believes that metropolitan
authorities covering an area of less than five square kilometres is rational,
it is wrong. The Labor Party is not up to reform, but I tell you what, the
Liberal‑National government is and it will achieve the reform.
Mr
F.A. Alban interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Swan Hills, I do not want you getting hoarse; I call
you to order for the first time.
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