Claims about bias against Albany Shire unfounded

22/5/97

Local Government Minister Paul Omodei has utterly rejected claims emanating from an Albany Shire Council meeting that he is biased against the Albany Shire or that he is incapable of being objective about the restructure of local government in the area.

"I am still willing to assume that shire president Kevin Beeck's thinking is broader and deeper than was reported in the local paper today, but even so I think it is time some people injected some reality into their approach to this issue," Mr Omodei said.

"The proposal that the future structure of the so-called doughnut councils be investigated by the Local Government Advisory Board came originally from the Structural Reform Advisory Committee.

"Of course I support these investigations and the possibility of restructuring local governments where this can be shown to be appropriate and beneficial. They would not be happening if I did not.

"Does anyone seriously think all this work would be going on if the Government was not willing to restructure local governments?

"We have already restructured the City of Perth and we are currently examining the Cities of Stirling and Wanneroo as well as the doughnut councils, so nobody should pretend that restructuring is not a live issue.

"To ask the Premier to stand aside a Minister who is clearly carrying out Government policy is naive to the point of being foolish.

"However, it is also less than wise to make the leap from the general policy of restructure to an assumption about what will happen in a particular case.

"I do not know what will happen in relation to any of the doughnut councils, although I do expect something to happen in each case.

"The Albany Shire Council has made it clear in previous public statements that it does not like the idea of any change, so it is hardly surprising that I would suggest in media interviews that the shire might not like the outcome.

"The examination of the relationship between the two local governments is not a "town versus shire" fight for territorial advantage.

"I realise that the territorial instinct is strong in human beings, but we are rational and can objectively assess the future and make decisions based not on the proprietorial instincts of existing councils but on good government for the people who now and in the future will live in Albany.

"If the Shire of Albany thinks that no change is the perfect recipe for the future, it should start preparing a watertight case to present to the Advisory Board.

"But if all that is motivating the council is fear of change, then it is time for a change of heart and mind.

"To a certain extent I do not mind being a scapegoat for people's fear of change, but I believe that the reference made by the shire council to a friendship between myself and Albany Mayor Annette Knight is bordering on uncouth.

"I have known Tom and Annette Knight for 25 years, just as I have known the former Albany shire president Colin Ayres for 30 years and have many other personal friends in local government throughout the State, but to suggest that this constitutes some sort of conflict of interest is petty in the extreme.

"The honourable thing in this situation would be for Cr Beeck to apologise to the Mayor on behalf of his council.

"I can assure Cr Beeck that I am treating the Albany situation no differently from the other councils in similar positions. The process of examination and consultation by the Advisory Board will continue in a calm and orderly fashion and no decisions will be made until all relevant information is available.

"I hope that all local governments involved in this process will begin to talk to one another at councillor, officer, and community levels so that together they have the maximum influence in shaping the future of local government in their areas."

Media contact: Hugh Ryan 9366 0200