Swanson Calls for Merger Answers from Howard

BY GARY LYSAGHT

Labor candidate for Paterson Meryl Swanson has called on her Liberal counterpart, Karen Howard to clarify if she supports forced Council mergers.

It comes after Port Stephens Council launched a campaign to merge with Dungog Council, opposing the Baird Government’s decision to merge them with Newcastle.

Combatants: Meryl Swanson (Labor) & Karen Howard (Right
[Source: The Newcastle Herald]

“If she doesn't commit to the community’s right to vote, she should explain why.

“If she does, she should make representations to the AEC [Australian Electoral Commission] asking them to conduct a ballot of the Port Stephens community,” Swanson said.

However, Karen Howard has played down the importance of the merger in the upcoming Federal election, scheduled for July 2.

“This is a State issue, not a Federal issue,” she said.

But that doesn't mean the Federal Government hasn't been involved in Councils before.

Back in 2007 during the waning days of the Howard Government, Federal legislation was introduced to allow local communities a plebiscite if they were being forced to merge by State Government.

It is on this that Swanson bases her criticisms of Howard as a candidate.

“Given her patchy record on the issue – in February she was in favour of an amalgamation [and] she’s now saying that she’s heard and listened to the people of Port Stephens,” Swanson said.

But Karen Howard sees this as the best way to get the best for your local community.

“A solid candidate makes sure that they listen to their people and I think sometimes amending your view on something mean that you've actually listened,” she said.

“I am now pleased that the [State] Government are now considering a Port Stephens/Dungog Council option [instead of one with Port and Newcastle].”

But while Karen Howard might say it’s not a Federal issue, it is still playing a part in this year’s election.

Port Stephens Mayor Bruce Mackenzie has said Howard might as well “stay at home” if a merger with Dungog doesn't go ahead, implying no one in Port Stephens will vote for her.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has got Council headaches of his own, as Council’s in his seat of Wentworth call on a chance to have a say on forced mergers.

Turnbull confronts Sydnysiders before the July 2 election.
[Source: The Daily Telegraph]

John Howard introduced the law back in 2007 in reaction to then-Labor Premier of Queensland Peter Beattie forced Council amalgamations.

Howard had accused Beattie “riding roughshod” over Queeslanders in a State when the Coalition were expected to lose seats at the ’07 Election to Labor and Kevin Rudd.