Mr. Templeman questions the Deputy Leader of the National Party regarding their stance on forced local government amalgamations, referencing a prior media statement. The Deputy Leader affirms the party's opposition to forced amalgamations.

AnsweredQoN 291Legislative Assembly
Asked
19 June 2013
Portfolio
Deputy Leader of the National Party

QuestionView source ↗

LOCAL GOVERNMENT — AMALGAMATIONS —
NATIONAL PARTY POLICY
291. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN to the Deputy Leader of the
National Party:
I refer to a National Party media
statement released in the last week of the election campaign in which the now
member for Kalgoorlie stated that the Nationals would block forced
amalgamations of local governments. The media statement, dated 3 March 2013,
quotes the member for Kalgoorlie as saying, '' we would block any
forced amalgamations.''
(1) Does the
minister stand by his party's election promise that it will not support
forced amalgamations?
(2) Does the
minister stand by his party's election promise that the Nationals will
block any forced amalgamations?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member.
(1)–(2) It
is interesting that the member picked a time when the Leader of the Nationals
is not here to make a comment, but the member is quite right: in the position
of deputy leader, it is appropriate that I pick up a response. As all members
will understand, all different parties take their positions to the election.
The National Party took its party position on amalgamations, and, as a party,
we do not support forced amalgamations. That is the position of the National
Party in Western Australia, and that position has been consistent and we have
not backed away from it. I am sure that the member for Kalgoorlie made the
statement with the backing of the National Party of Western Australia.

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