• Huon Valley saga ends with Council being sacked
• Peter Gutwein failed to deliver a more constructive outcome
• When will fresh elections be held?
It’s extremely disappointing that the saga in the Huon Valley has resulted in the Council being sacked by Peter Gutwein.
Shadow Local Government Minister Madeleine Ogilvie said Labor was hoping for a more constructive outcome.
“It’s a disappointing end to a drawn out saga,” Ms Ogilvie said.
“Labor’s been urging Peter Gutwein to take a more hands-on role and sit down with the councillors to try and find a way through.
“Instead he’s used the bluntest instrument at his disposal.
“The board of inquiry processes set up by the Liberals have cost taxpayers half a million dollars. We were hoping for a more constructive outcome than a sacked council. I only hope that this decision was not influenced by the Minister’s ill-advised desire to force council mergers through.
“By talking to the parties involved through Parliament and the media, the Treasurer has not demonstrated that he wanted an agreeable outcome.
“Peter Gutwein has ruled out fresh elections for at least 12 months but the residents of the Huon Valley deserve a clearer indication of when they’ll be able to have their say.
“Can the Treasurer guarantee there will be a fresh vote in the Huon Valley prior to the next State Election in March 2018?
“We are all deeply concerned that duly elected aldermen have been removed from their roles, which of course has a negative impact on local democratic representation.”
Madeleine Ogilvie MP, Shadow Minister for Local Government
