We are not moving against councils, we are moving on: Fraser

Councils which stage polls or referendums this weekend will not face dismissal or sanctions as the Beattie Government continues to move forward with state-wide local government reform.

Local Government Minister Andrew Fraser said polls planned by a small handful of councils were pointless and offered nothing but false hope.

“At the end of the day the results of these polls will not change the boundaries, the new boundaries are now law,” Mr Fraser said.

“We are not going to move against councils conducting polls or referenda, we are moving on.

“The provisions for dismissal and other sanctions were drafted in the first place to save ratepayers from the unnecessary, frivolous expenditure involved in conducting referenda which have no bearing on the outcome of boundary reform.

“John Howard is now offering to pay for these polls and that will be on his conscience because they will mean nothing – other than a cruel and avoidable waste of taxpayer’s money.

“John Howard is not offering to change any boundaries with the polls he is proposing, he is just offering a taxpayer funded stunt, peddling false hope in defence of geriatric local government boundaries.

“The government has accepted the recommendations of the independent Local Government Reform Commission.

“The greater majority of Queenslanders have also accepted the recommendations and know that reform across the local government sector is required immediately.

“It’s time to move on.

“It’s time to get on with the job.

“I urge those councils affected by amalgamations to do just that for the good of their communities and for the vast majority, that is exactly what they are doing.

“I urge those councils intending to stage polls to think carefully about it because they are achieving nothing.

“I urge them to put politics aside and act responsibly for their communities and their ratepayers – because ultimately that is what this is about: the future.

“It’s about politics and politicians attempting to save hides but I reiterate – the new boundaries are already law.

“Whatever polls a small number of affected councils choose to stage will not change the boundaries which are already set.”

Media Contact Chris Taylor 0419 710 874