Queensland coalition’s anti-union postcard claims “absurdly untrue”

A Queensland coalition “postcard” about the role of unions in new local councils was a shameful abuse of free speech, Local Government Minister Warren Pitt said today.

Mr Pitt said the postcard, which was circulating in central Queensland, made claims that were absurdly untrue.

The postcard is also posted on the Queensland coalition website (see http://www.qldcoalition.org.au/pdf/OLO6215%20Postcard_5.pdf).

Mr Pitt said he was surprised that the postcard had been officially authorised by Opposition Leader Jeff Seeney.

“I would have thought Mr Seeney valued his credibility a bit more than to put his name to this kind of rubbish,” he said.

“The postcard is based on the fiction that the new regional councils in Queensland will be run by unionists.

“The postcard says the Queensland Government has killed local communities through forced amalgamations and has stacked the committees that will manage the new councils with unionists.

“This is all unmitigated nonsense.

“The new councils will be run by elected representatives – mayors and councillors elected by the people. The elections are scheduled to take place on 15 March next year.

“If Mr Seeney really believes that the councils won’t be run by those duly elected representatives, then he is saying that our democratic system has been subverted.

“I challenge him to take his concerns to the Queensland Electoral Commission, or even the Crime and Misconduct Commission.

“Of course he won’t, because he knows this claim is a load of tripe.

“Queensland local communities are just as healthy as they were before the local government reform process, if not more so.

“No one’s rights have been taken away. Local communities will continue to have their services delivered. The only difference will be that the new regional communities will be better equipped to plan and deliver those services.

“The real purpose of this postcard is to try to spread fear and alarm. It seeks to prey upon the concerns of people who may be vulnerable to this kind of scaremongering,” Mr Pitt said.

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819