Post by Flash on Sept 20, 2007 12:53:39 GMT -5
In Queensland, the Federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd
has put the weights on the Labor premier,
urging her to reconsider a series of planned
council amalgamations which have outraged
local communities and will cost Labor votes
in the federal election.
In a state starved for decralisation the Labor Plan
is plain stupid
The Labor plan has generated a series of angry
protests throughout Queensland in recent weeks.
Now the Local Government Association is warning
that it wilkl threaten Kevin Rudd's bid
for the Prime Ministership.
In Brisbane, Kathryn Roberts reports.
If Labor's to win government later this year,
it will have to pick up at least a half a dozen
seats in Queensland. Which it now wont.
The Qld Labor State Government has decided
to push ahead with council reforms.
While it is a state government issue, communities
are so angry about the plan,
most people are threatening to
lodge a protest vote at this year's federal election.
Basic working people, council employees, and people in those towns that are affected, see this as the biggest issue in their lives. They are really stirred up and clearly that's been reflected in political polling
Greg Hallam from the Local Government
Association of Queensland says
it's a red-hot issue and it will influence votes.
This is potentially an outcome that could
stop Rudd taking the keys to the lodge.
Over the past few weeks, the Queensland
Labor Government has faced angry protests
all around the state resulting in an exit for Beatie.
Rural and regional communities in particular are upset
about the Labor decision to push ahead with
a review of councils.
They fear that forced amalgamations will be the death of their communities.
The level of anger has clearly worried Federal Labor
Leader Kevin Rudd who is a goner..
He says "
Look, I'm just concerned in getting the right policy here. This ultimately is a call for the state government. I accept that.
I've simply put my views to Peter about what I think is a better way ahead.
But Queensland's Labor Government Minister
Andrew Fraser is standing firm.
He says "We're not going to cancel what we're doing. We're committed to ensuring that the Commission runs its
course and that reform is achieved in local government".
Political commentator and Griffith University adjunct lecturer, Paul Williams says the issue does have the potential to push voters back into the coalition camp.
Of course, we all know Labor only holds half a dozen seats in Queensland and needs to at least double that or more, in order to have a fair chance of putting Mr. Rudd in The Lodge.
Thats now not likely.
has put the weights on the Labor premier,
urging her to reconsider a series of planned
council amalgamations which have outraged
local communities and will cost Labor votes
in the federal election.
In a state starved for decralisation the Labor Plan
is plain stupid
The Labor plan has generated a series of angry
protests throughout Queensland in recent weeks.
Now the Local Government Association is warning
that it wilkl threaten Kevin Rudd's bid
for the Prime Ministership.
In Brisbane, Kathryn Roberts reports.
If Labor's to win government later this year,
it will have to pick up at least a half a dozen
seats in Queensland. Which it now wont.
The Qld Labor State Government has decided
to push ahead with council reforms.
While it is a state government issue, communities
are so angry about the plan,
most people are threatening to
lodge a protest vote at this year's federal election.
Basic working people, council employees, and people in those towns that are affected, see this as the biggest issue in their lives. They are really stirred up and clearly that's been reflected in political polling
Greg Hallam from the Local Government
Association of Queensland says
it's a red-hot issue and it will influence votes.
This is potentially an outcome that could
stop Rudd taking the keys to the lodge.
Over the past few weeks, the Queensland
Labor Government has faced angry protests
all around the state resulting in an exit for Beatie.
Rural and regional communities in particular are upset
about the Labor decision to push ahead with
a review of councils.
They fear that forced amalgamations will be the death of their communities.
The level of anger has clearly worried Federal Labor
Leader Kevin Rudd who is a goner..
He says "
Look, I'm just concerned in getting the right policy here. This ultimately is a call for the state government. I accept that.
I've simply put my views to Peter about what I think is a better way ahead.
But Queensland's Labor Government Minister
Andrew Fraser is standing firm.
He says "We're not going to cancel what we're doing. We're committed to ensuring that the Commission runs its
course and that reform is achieved in local government".
Political commentator and Griffith University adjunct lecturer, Paul Williams says the issue does have the potential to push voters back into the coalition camp.
Of course, we all know Labor only holds half a dozen seats in Queensland and needs to at least double that or more, in order to have a fair chance of putting Mr. Rudd in The Lodge.
Thats now not likely.