As the fall out from New South Wales council amalgamations continues, it might prove a bit too close to home for Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
A local council located in the heart of Mr Turnbull’s federal seat of Wentworth is in the midst of a legal challenge against the New South Wales Government, which may prove politically troublesome as the federal campaign rolls on.
Woollahra Council is fighting to block a proposed merger with Randwick and Waverley councils. A decision on the court case is expected within a few weeks.
This morning the Save Our Councils Coalition (SOCC) – a group of mayors, council staff and community members – visited Prime Minister Turnbull’s office in the hopes he would sign a ‘Commitment to Local Democracy’.
The commitment included a pledge “to support and respect local democracy” and “to ensure that where an amalgamation is proposed, there be a properly conducted referendum of all electors in each affected council area.”
A group of about 50 people campaigned outside the office and a small delegation of local community members presented the document.
President of the Save Our Councils Coalition, Carolyn Corrigan, said the group was not surprised to learn that the Prime Minister was out on the campaign trail, but they are hoping for a response from his office soon.
“The reason SOCC decided to take this measure is because we believe local democracy has been trashed in New South Wales,” said Ms Corrigan.
“At this stage, we really have no where else to go but our Federal members.”
Ms Corrigan said the SOCC is not a politically affiliated group and that they would keep fighting to get a response up until the 2 July election.
Greens candidate for Wentworth Dejay Toborek and ALP candidate Evan Hughes attended the event and both candidates signed the pledge.
