TASMANIA’S longest serving council Mayor has accused the Minister for Local Government Peter Gutwein of representing vested interest groups and not the broader community.
Brighton Mayor Tony Foster said rather than speak up for local government and household ratepayers, Mr Gutwein appears more comfortable in pushing the interests of the Property Council and the ‘big end of town’.
Cr Foster said he would more appropriately be titled the Minister for the Property Council as his views and public comments are more in line with those of the big city property owners and developers.
“In fact, at times it is difficult to distinguish between to comments of Property Council executive director Brian Wightman and those of Mr Gutwein.
“While the Minister has been very careful not to stray too far from the official party line of no compulsory council amalgamations for fear of a public backlash, but he is true to the Property Council mantra in his proposed takeover of TasWater.
“No doubt, he’ll revert to the Property Council’s policy of forced amalgamations once the next state election is over.
“If this is not the case, the Liberal Party should again declare that there will be no forced amalgamations as part of their election campaign.”
Cr Foster said in his 24 years as Mayor of Brighton, he had not previously experienced a Minister more out of touch with the needs of local government or more aligned to vested interest groups.
“As a result of his proposed hostile takeover of TasWater, relations between the Minister and local government in Tasmania are at an all-time low.
“The Minister’s comments at the weekend were ill-informed, incorrect and little more than abuse, which is often his way of dealing with people.
“Obviously, it is in the best interests of Tasmania for our two tiers of government to work together and have the strongest possible relationship, but I don’t believe Mr Gutwein cares about this at all.
“Councils want to work with the State Government, but it is a two-way street.
“The Minister need to engage with the sector, rather than dictate and he should consider the needs of councils and their ratepayers, rather than just those of his big city friends.
‘We now have the prospect of local government running a campaign opposing the State Government and that is unprecedented.
“Minister Gutwein could easily end this by firstly dropping his takeover bid for TasWater and then becoming a true Minister for Local Government and work co-operatively with all councils,” Cr Foster said.
Brighton Mayor Tony Foster
