Comment on criticism of Albany amalgamation

21/11/97

Local Government Minister Paul Omodei said he would not get involved in a slanging match with Mr Stephens.

"In relation to Mr Stephens' seven demands, the most significant issue raised is the question of ward boundaries and representation for rural electors," Mr Omodei said.

"This was discussed at my recent meetings with both the town and the shire when I expressed support for wards and responsible vote weighting.

"I understand that the town and the shire have been working on a number of models and I can give an assurance that if the Local Government Advisory Board recommends an agreed ward system I would be happy to endorse it.

"I note that the advisory board's report presents a sound rationale for a seven-ward system.

"Unfortunately, the quality of the rest of Mr Stephens' demands is summed up by item six, which would take away from individuals or groups the right to petition to join a different local authority if that is what they thought was in their best interests at any time in the next decade.

"Mr Stephens would know that as Minister I do not have, nor should I have, the power to close-off people's options for the future.

"The really irrational part of the demand, however, is that if Mr Stephens were to succeed in stopping the amalgamation, the inevitable result would be the very 'shedding off' of rural parts of the shire that he claims he wants to prevent.

"The issue at stake is not 'no change', but which is the best change to make, and at the present time we have both the shire council and the town council agreeing that the best change is an amalgamation."

Media contact: Hugh Ryan (08) 9366 0200