The only vote Howard is interested in is his own: Fraser.

17 August 2007

The only vote Howard is interested in is his own: Fraser.

The Prime Minister’s sneaky, politically motivated stunt to intervene in Queensland’s local government reform process has been exposed as a cruel hoax that will not change one boundary.

Local Government Minister Andrew Fraser said the Federal legislation announced by John Howard yesterday is not proposing to change a single local government boundary.

“The legislation does not include one word about local government boundaries and the reality is Mr Howard is not interested in what is best for Queensland councils – he is only interested in his own vote and self preservation,” Mr Fraser said.

“John Howard is proposing to pay for polls – polls that will ultimately be pointless – only to cause political mayhem, not because he is interested in solid local government.

“What will John Howard achieve when a vote is held – the answer is absolutely nothing. He is not promising to change one boundary.”

Mr Fraser said now that the Commonwealth’s bill had been exposed as nothing more than a John Howard election year special, the Prime Minister needed to own up and answer some questions.

“Will the votes in his proposed polls be compulsory?”

“Will he fine people for not voting?

“What will he do when one shire votes yes and the neighbouring shire votes no?

“Until he can provide adequate, truthful answers to questions like these, John Howard has once again proven himself to be a tired Prime Minister who’s store of ideas has run dry so he is peddling false hope in support of geriatric local government boundaries.”

Media Contact Chris Taylor 3227 8825