Tuesday, 2 August 2022

Local government

Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) (12:29): I have often said in this place that a good local government is a gift from God, a bad local government is devastating. Well, it seems a number of councils have been pursuing their own campaigns for the abolition of local government in this state. It is a great disappointment, I should mention, seeing Mr Leane in the house, because I thought he was doing a pretty good job in local government. I am very disappointed to see that he is no longer in that position.

We all know about Yarra council’s ongoing ratbaggery. I know a lot of residents in Yarra, specifically in the suburb of Richmond, and it is nigh on impossible to find anyone with a good word for their council, the only beneficiaries of which seem to be flag makers. After having widely consulted at least 200 people, Moreland council announced it would push ahead with plans to change the name of the entire municipality, at the cost to ratepayers of a fearful sum of money. But Melbourne City Council indicates its preparedness to go further: it is going to abolish Australia Day. The Lord Mayor and her fellow loons on council have somehow got the idea into their heads that in fact they are members of the federal Parliament. I have got news for them: they are not. They have no capacity, no power and no ability to do away with Australia Day. When, I ask, do these councils do their job?