❓ The Leader of the Opposition questions the Premier on the government's local government amalgamation policy, its implementation, and associated costs. The Premier responds by referencing an independent report and emphasizing the need for local government reform.
AnsweredQoN 629Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
LOCAL GOVERNMENT — AMALGAMATIONS
629. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier:
I refer to the Premier's comments this morning in
relation to local governments when he said, ''I think we do need less.''
(1) Other than
his comment ''I think we do need less'', what specifically is the
government's local government amalgamation policy?
(2) Does the
Premier expect to achieve his fewer local governments policy without
legislation; and, if so, how?
(3) Is not
extending the public comment on amalgamations beyond the next election nothing
more than a stalling tactic to save the member for Nedlands?
(4) What has this chaotic process cost Western Australian
taxpayers since September 2008?
629. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier:
I refer to the Premier's comments this morning in
relation to local governments when he said, ''I think we do need less.''
(1) Other than
his comment ''I think we do need less'', what specifically is the
government's local government amalgamation policy?
(2) Does the
Premier expect to achieve his fewer local governments policy without
legislation; and, if so, how?
(3) Is not
extending the public comment on amalgamations beyond the next election nothing
more than a stalling tactic to save the member for Nedlands?
(4) What has this chaotic process cost Western Australian
taxpayers since September 2008?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question.
(1)–(4)
The report by Professor Alan Robson into the structure, governance and, in some
respects, relevance of local government across the metropolitan area will be
tabled by the Minister for Local Government tomorrow after a brief ministerial
statement. Today a briefing was held in confidence, if you like, for the 30
mayors and CEOs of the metropolitan councils.
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : It is something that members opposite may not have thought of
doing, but I think it is courteous to allow the mayors and the CEOs —
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Thank you, members!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : We have a different set of values from members opposite. We
happen to think it is courteous to allow Professor Robson the opportunity to
speak directly to the mayors and CEOs about the recommendations in his report
and the reasoning behind them. Obviously, they have made some comment and I
have made some comment. That has been ongoing. But tomorrow the minister will
formally table the report, and I recommend that members read it and think about
it.
Mr
E.S. Ripper : So we have a day's debate before everyone can see the
report.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Belmont!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : We think it is courteous to allow CEOs and mayors to be
briefed directly. Members opposite may disagree, but that is one of our
differences.
Mrs
M.H. Roberts interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : The member thinks it is funny.
Mrs
M.H. Roberts : I think you're arrogant.
The
SPEAKER : If members to my left wish to ask some more questions today, they
are not going the right way about it. Leader of the Opposition, you have asked
the question; Premier, you are answering the question. I do not need to hear
from anybody else. If anybody else wishes to interject, I put you on notice
that you could be called to order.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Professor Robson has made the point that the structure of local government
across Western Australia, obviously including Perth, is much the same as it was
in the early 1900s. The world has moved on. One of the points that I and the
minister made to local government was to read this independent report, digest
it and think about it, and we hope that some progress will be seen. The
disparity is immense. We have local governments that have jurisdiction for
areas of less than five square kilometres.
Mr M. McGowan :
What is your actual policy?
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : We have 14 local authorities that have populations of fewer
than 400. Most primary schools in this state are larger than that. The world
has moved on and local government needs to adjust.
On the matter that the Leader of the
Opposition has raised—what is the magic or secret number?—there
are clear recommendations in the Robson report about the number. If members opposite
want to know my view—I am only one person in this debate—I have
said on a number of occasions that I happen to think that somewhere in the
range of 15 to 20 might be appropriate for Perth. The Robson report recommends
a lower number, and that will be publicly available, and he talked about that
today.
Mr M. McGowan :
What is your policy?
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
What is our policy? Our policy is to have a relevant and appropriately
structured system of local government across the state.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Thank
you, members!
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I
do not know who is the shadow Minister for Local Government, but I noticed that
the comments in the question by the Leader of the Opposition are virtually the
same as those the former minister Alannah MacTiernan made at the meeting.
(1)–(4)
The report by Professor Alan Robson into the structure, governance and, in some
respects, relevance of local government across the metropolitan area will be
tabled by the Minister for Local Government tomorrow after a brief ministerial
statement. Today a briefing was held in confidence, if you like, for the 30
mayors and CEOs of the metropolitan councils.
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : It is something that members opposite may not have thought of
doing, but I think it is courteous to allow the mayors and the CEOs —
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Thank you, members!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : We have a different set of values from members opposite. We
happen to think it is courteous to allow Professor Robson the opportunity to
speak directly to the mayors and CEOs about the recommendations in his report
and the reasoning behind them. Obviously, they have made some comment and I
have made some comment. That has been ongoing. But tomorrow the minister will
formally table the report, and I recommend that members read it and think about
it.
Mr
E.S. Ripper : So we have a day's debate before everyone can see the
report.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Belmont!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : We think it is courteous to allow CEOs and mayors to be
briefed directly. Members opposite may disagree, but that is one of our
differences.
Mrs
M.H. Roberts interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : The member thinks it is funny.
Mrs
M.H. Roberts : I think you're arrogant.
The
SPEAKER : If members to my left wish to ask some more questions today, they
are not going the right way about it. Leader of the Opposition, you have asked
the question; Premier, you are answering the question. I do not need to hear
from anybody else. If anybody else wishes to interject, I put you on notice
that you could be called to order.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Professor Robson has made the point that the structure of local government
across Western Australia, obviously including Perth, is much the same as it was
in the early 1900s. The world has moved on. One of the points that I and the
minister made to local government was to read this independent report, digest
it and think about it, and we hope that some progress will be seen. The
disparity is immense. We have local governments that have jurisdiction for
areas of less than five square kilometres.
Mr M. McGowan :
What is your actual policy?
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : We have 14 local authorities that have populations of fewer
than 400. Most primary schools in this state are larger than that. The world
has moved on and local government needs to adjust.
On the matter that the Leader of the
Opposition has raised—what is the magic or secret number?—there
are clear recommendations in the Robson report about the number. If members opposite
want to know my view—I am only one person in this debate—I have
said on a number of occasions that I happen to think that somewhere in the
range of 15 to 20 might be appropriate for Perth. The Robson report recommends
a lower number, and that will be publicly available, and he talked about that
today.
Mr M. McGowan :
What is your policy?
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
What is our policy? Our policy is to have a relevant and appropriately
structured system of local government across the state.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Thank
you, members!
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I
do not know who is the shadow Minister for Local Government, but I noticed that
the comments in the question by the Leader of the Opposition are virtually the
same as those the former minister Alannah MacTiernan made at the meeting.
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