Shadow Local Government Minister Lara Giddings said Labor continues to support voluntary amalgamations but will be watching where the Government takes the issue of council amalgamations very carefully.
“The Treasurer is desperate to be seen to be doing something when really what he has announced today is nothing new at all,” Ms Giddings said.
“Efforts have been made previously to voluntarily amalgamate councils and resource sharing encouraged.
“For example, Labor supported previous work by Southern Councils through the commissioning of the Munro report, released in October 2011,” Ms Giddings said.
“One of the recommendations of the Munro Report was for the formation of a Greater Hobart Council comprised of the Brighton, Clarence, Glenorchy, Hobart and Kingborough councils.
“No councils chose to support this recommendation so it is difficult to see how today’s announcement will produce a different result.
“Glamorgan-Spring Bay and Break-O’Day also considered amalgamation in the past as well as Sorell and Clarence, neither of which progressed.
“There is nothing new in resource sharing either with much being achieved in the past. Brighton Council for example already regularly provides services to Glamorgan Spring Bay, Derwent Valley, Tasman, Sorell, Huon Valley and Central Highlands.
“Labor will not stand in the way of voluntary amalgamations which are supported by the communities affected and result in better outcomes for ratepayers.
“In the case of any amalgamations, local representation must not be lost and communities disenfranchised.”
Lara Giddings MP Shadow Minister for Planning & Local Government
