[no bill text published] Restrictions on Asset Sales and Planning for Councils Undergoing De-Amalgamation Plebiscites
Local Government Amendment (De-amalgamation Plebiscites) Bill 2023
Private Member's BillLegislative Council
Legislative Assembly
Assent
Topics
council boundaries council elections council mergers de-amalgamation local government plebiscite public voting
Introduced by: Amanda Cohn MLC (GRN)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Debate
What different members said when this bill was debated:
Tara Moriarty ALP
“I lead for the Government in debate on the Local Government Amendment (De-amalgamation Plebiscites) Bill 2023. The Government opposes the bill, which lacks a clear and transparent process.”
“On behalf of the Opposition and the shadow Minister for Local Government, I oppose the Local Government Amendment (De-amalgamation Plebiscites) Bill 2023. The bill proposes to amend the Local Government Act 1993, aiming to establish a process for conducting plebiscites to decide on the de‑amalgamation of amalgamated local government areas.”
Emma Hurst AJP
“I speak in support of the Local Government Amendment (De‑amalgamation Plebiscites) Bill 2023 and commend Dr Amanda Cohn for her work to uphold representative local government. The proposed reforms are sensible and important and will ensure that any decision to merge or demerge a council has the support of local residents. Communities suffer when decisions are forced upon them.”
Abigail Boyd GRN
“I support the outstanding work of my colleague Dr Amanda Cohn, who has brought the Government kicking and screaming to finally do something about the de‑amalgamation of local councils by introducing the Local Government Amendment (De‑amalgamation Plebiscites) Bill 2023.”
Amanda Cohn GRN
“It has taken seven years of tireless advocacy by volunteers in impacted communities to get to this point where everybody agrees that forced amalgamations have been harmful and we are debating the different mechanisms for de-amalgamation. The process suggested by The Greens puts the community first.”
News articles and press releases
Local Government Amendment (De-amalgamation Plebiscites) Bill 2023
Dr AMANDA COHN — 2023-11-22
The bill seeks to do two things. Firstly, it seeks to provide a clear pathway for councils already undertaking to de-amalgamate through the boundaries commission by removing the legislative roadblocks that the Minister has stated are thwarting his intention to demerge Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council. Secondly, it seeks to empower communities with a direct voice for de-amalgamation through a plebiscite process.