❓ Mr. Templeman questions the Treasurer about the cost of the failed local government amalgamation process. The Treasurer responds that the state government spent $1.7 million and that local governments will lose out on $60 million in funding due to their lack of participation.
AnsweredQoN 10Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
LOCAL GOVERNMENT — AMALGAMATIONS —
COST
10. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN to the Treasurer:
I refer to the six-year local government forced amalgamation
mess pursued by the Premier and supported by the Treasurer, which was supposed
to save millions of dollars. As Treasurer, will the member for Riverton tell
Parliament what the cost of this lengthy process has been to taxpayers?
COST
10. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN to the Treasurer:
I refer to the six-year local government forced amalgamation
mess pursued by the Premier and supported by the Treasurer, which was supposed
to save millions of dollars. As Treasurer, will the member for Riverton tell
Parliament what the cost of this lengthy process has been to taxpayers?
AnswerView source ↗
This was an exercise in trying to cajole the local government
sector into reform. Most of the benefits were to accrue to local government and
to ratepayers. The fact that we have stepped back here is a real hindrance to ratepayers. The individual councillors
and managers of local governments will be held accountable by the ratepayers
for their failure to participate.
Mr D.A. Templeman interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Mandurah!
Dr M.D. NAHAN : As
the Premier —
Mr D.A. Templeman interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Mandurah, I call you to order for the first time. I will give you a
supplementary question if you behave yourself.
Mr P. Papalia interjected.
Dr M.D. NAHAN : As
the Premier and the minister indicated, we spent $1.7 million in handouts to the
sector. The Department of Local Government gave the sector all sorts of
assistance, as it does now. The City of Canning was sacked for the second time
in 20 years. It gave them a great deal of assistance, though the ratepayers
will have to wear that bill.
From the Treasurer's perspective, local governments
will be the losers and the budget will be the winner. We had $60 million in the
budget to help them merge and do other things. They will now lose that.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Warnbro!
Dr M.D. NAHAN :
Because of failing to participate in a process it insisted that we enter upon
and that would have helped the ratepayers, the local government sector is now
$60 million out of pocket. Good luck.
sector into reform. Most of the benefits were to accrue to local government and
to ratepayers. The fact that we have stepped back here is a real hindrance to ratepayers. The individual councillors
and managers of local governments will be held accountable by the ratepayers
for their failure to participate.
Mr D.A. Templeman interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Mandurah!
Dr M.D. NAHAN : As
the Premier —
Mr D.A. Templeman interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Mandurah, I call you to order for the first time. I will give you a
supplementary question if you behave yourself.
Mr P. Papalia interjected.
Dr M.D. NAHAN : As
the Premier and the minister indicated, we spent $1.7 million in handouts to the
sector. The Department of Local Government gave the sector all sorts of
assistance, as it does now. The City of Canning was sacked for the second time
in 20 years. It gave them a great deal of assistance, though the ratepayers
will have to wear that bill.
From the Treasurer's perspective, local governments
will be the losers and the budget will be the winner. We had $60 million in the
budget to help them merge and do other things. They will now lose that.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Warnbro!
Dr M.D. NAHAN :
Because of failing to participate in a process it insisted that we enter upon
and that would have helped the ratepayers, the local government sector is now
$60 million out of pocket. Good luck.
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