NEW RESEARCH FINDS QUEENSLANDERS SUPPORT AMALGAMATIONS AND ARE SPLIT ON ANY NEED FOR REFERENDA
Published Sunday, 19 August, 2007 at 02:01 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Minister for Local Government, Planning and Sport
The Honourable Andrew Fraser
Queensland Premier Peter Beattie today released the results of an opinion poll which found that despite the intervention of the Prime Minister there is overwhelming support for local government reform to cope with Queensland’s growth.
One-thousand Queenslanders from across the State have been surveyed by one of the nation’s most reputable pollster’s AC Nielsen to ascertain their views on local government reform.
The interviews, conducted this week found an overwhelming number – 73 per cent – believed the State’s growth meant stronger councils were needed.
50 per cent of those surveyed were supportive or totally supportive of the local government amalgamations as determined by the independent commission, with 48 per cent opposed and 2 per cent undecided.
On the contentious issues of the Prime Minister’s mooted referenda in amalgamated areas, the AC Nielsen survey also found the majority – 66 per cent – were aware there were no referendums held when state and federal election boundaries were determined.
Queenslanders surveyed by AC Nielsen were split 52 per cent to 41 per cent on the question of whether referendums should be held now that State Parliament had passed the legislation making the new boundaries law.
Premier Peter Beattie said the fact that 41 per cent of people questioned said that referendums would be a waste of money put to rest the Prime Minister’s claims there was overwhelming support for his politicization of this important reform.
“Queenslanders are well informed on this issue and it's clear that the vast majority view the amalgamations as necessary to ensure our growing State continues to thrive,” Mr Beattie said.
“A very high number are also well aware that the referendums the Prime Minister is proposing as part of his strategy to try to get himself re-elected are never held when state and federal boundaries are changed,” he said.
“I’ve said all along that the Prime Minister has yet again underestimated the intelligence and understanding of the Queensland electorate.
“Yet again Queenslanders have proved that they take an interest in significant issues and they are well informed.”
Local Government Minister Andrew Fraser said Queenslanders would not be tricked by the Prime Minister’s pre-election stunts.
“It’s also heartening to see that despite the best attempts of the Federal Government to derail this very important poll the people of Queensland continue to support or strongly support the decisions made by the independent Local Government Reform Commission,” Mr Fraser said.
“The vast majority of Queenslanders and the councils who provide their local services are getting on with the job of making the new boundaries work.
“These results by one of the nation’s most reputable polling company’s prove that the Prime Minister should do the same.
“Mr Howard should stop offering false hope to the small number of Mayors and councillors who want to delay the inevitable for their own self-interested reasons.”
Media Contacts: Premier’s Office – Alexia Deegan 0400 767 490,
Minister’s Office – Chris Ward 0418 424 654
One-thousand Queenslanders from across the State have been surveyed by one of the nation’s most reputable pollster’s AC Nielsen to ascertain their views on local government reform.
The interviews, conducted this week found an overwhelming number – 73 per cent – believed the State’s growth meant stronger councils were needed.
50 per cent of those surveyed were supportive or totally supportive of the local government amalgamations as determined by the independent commission, with 48 per cent opposed and 2 per cent undecided.
On the contentious issues of the Prime Minister’s mooted referenda in amalgamated areas, the AC Nielsen survey also found the majority – 66 per cent – were aware there were no referendums held when state and federal election boundaries were determined.
Queenslanders surveyed by AC Nielsen were split 52 per cent to 41 per cent on the question of whether referendums should be held now that State Parliament had passed the legislation making the new boundaries law.
Premier Peter Beattie said the fact that 41 per cent of people questioned said that referendums would be a waste of money put to rest the Prime Minister’s claims there was overwhelming support for his politicization of this important reform.
“Queenslanders are well informed on this issue and it's clear that the vast majority view the amalgamations as necessary to ensure our growing State continues to thrive,” Mr Beattie said.
“A very high number are also well aware that the referendums the Prime Minister is proposing as part of his strategy to try to get himself re-elected are never held when state and federal boundaries are changed,” he said.
“I’ve said all along that the Prime Minister has yet again underestimated the intelligence and understanding of the Queensland electorate.
“Yet again Queenslanders have proved that they take an interest in significant issues and they are well informed.”
Local Government Minister Andrew Fraser said Queenslanders would not be tricked by the Prime Minister’s pre-election stunts.
“It’s also heartening to see that despite the best attempts of the Federal Government to derail this very important poll the people of Queensland continue to support or strongly support the decisions made by the independent Local Government Reform Commission,” Mr Fraser said.
“The vast majority of Queenslanders and the councils who provide their local services are getting on with the job of making the new boundaries work.
“These results by one of the nation’s most reputable polling company’s prove that the Prime Minister should do the same.
“Mr Howard should stop offering false hope to the small number of Mayors and councillors who want to delay the inevitable for their own self-interested reasons.”
Media Contacts: Premier’s Office – Alexia Deegan 0400 767 490,
Minister’s Office – Chris Ward 0418 424 654