Published Tuesday, 02 September, 2008 at 05:30 AM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Pitt challenges Opposition to declare demerger policy
Local Government Minister Warren Pitt has challenged Opposition leader Lawrence Springborg to come out into the open and declare where the Liberal National Party stands on the issue of de-amalgamating merged local councils.
Mr Pitt said Mr Springborg was trying to dodge the issue by refusing to confirm or deny if the Opposition supported a policy of de-amalgamation.
“Today, he has the opportunity to state clearly where he and his party stand on this issue,” he said.
Mr Springborg will address the annual Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) in Cairns today.
“Mr Springborg owes it to the local government sector to stop playing ducks and drakes and declare his party’s position,” Mr Pitt said.
“I will also be addressing the conference today and I will be making the Bligh Government’s position very clear.
“We do not support de-amalgamation – it is a backwards-looking policy that would weaken our new, stronger local councils.
“The shadow minister Howard Hobbs has been going around promoting the idea of de-amalgamating merged councils.
“But when I challenged the Opposition in Parliament last week to produce its de-amalgamation policy, they were strangely silent.
“Is Mr Hobbs’ viewpoint shared by his party or is it his personal opinion only? If it is the official party line, how do they intend implementing it? Where is the detail?
“The LNP cannot allow this conference to pass without stating clearly where they stand.”
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819; 0408 701 379
Mr Pitt said Mr Springborg was trying to dodge the issue by refusing to confirm or deny if the Opposition supported a policy of de-amalgamation.
“Today, he has the opportunity to state clearly where he and his party stand on this issue,” he said.
Mr Springborg will address the annual Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) in Cairns today.
“Mr Springborg owes it to the local government sector to stop playing ducks and drakes and declare his party’s position,” Mr Pitt said.
“I will also be addressing the conference today and I will be making the Bligh Government’s position very clear.
“We do not support de-amalgamation – it is a backwards-looking policy that would weaken our new, stronger local councils.
“The shadow minister Howard Hobbs has been going around promoting the idea of de-amalgamating merged councils.
“But when I challenged the Opposition in Parliament last week to produce its de-amalgamation policy, they were strangely silent.
“Is Mr Hobbs’ viewpoint shared by his party or is it his personal opinion only? If it is the official party line, how do they intend implementing it? Where is the detail?
“The LNP cannot allow this conference to pass without stating clearly where they stand.”
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819; 0408 701 379