Calls for a ban on developers and real estate agents running in council elections

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Shadow Minister for Local Government, Peter Primrose has chosen Newcastle to announce Labor is putting forward legislation to ban developers and real estate agents from holding office on local councils.

The new legislation is being put forward in a bid to avoid the electoral donations scandal which surrounded the state election in the Hunter in 2011 and stamp out corruption or the perception of corruption in local government decision making.

The opposition believes having individuals who are affiliated in development or real estate given the power to make decisions on a council is a major conflict of interest.

"We're not saying that real estate agents and all developers are bad people, we're just saying that the conflict of interest is such that it's just not appropriate for them to sit and make judgements and decisions in relation to local government planning and other matters," said Peter Primrose.

Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp, Shadow Minister for Local Government
Peter Primrose and Lord Mayor of Newcastle Nuatali Nelmes. Image Newcastle Herald

"The parliament has under both parties unanimously agreed to introduce bans on developers making donations at the council and state elections and yet despite the fact that that ban continues on making donations we're still allowing those same people to sit as  councillors in local government."

Banning property developers and real estate agents from running in local elections is one part of a three-point plan Labor has for the legislation, which also includes popularly elected mayors for four years to end horse-trading between parties for the position and give locals a say and also putting a cap on political donations.

Labor is calling for the cap to be placed on political donations and campaign spending ahead of the local council elections in September, less than 100 days away.

"At the moment, be it the leader of the opposition or Premier Berejiklian when they're running, there are limits on how much money they can spend but that doesn't apply at local council level so we are calling upon premier Berejiklian to introduce spending caps as recommended by the electoral matters committee," said Peter Primrose.

Hunter councils still face uncertain future

BY JARROD MELMETH

Uncertainty about the proposed council mergers in the Hunter will continue to be drawn out with local council elections possibly being pushed back to 2020 if something isn't done soon.

The office of local government has written to the four hunter councils facing amalgamation, warning them that unless mergers are finalized by August next year, they could be waiting until 2020 for an election.

New councils not created before August 2017, would not be able to hold elections before September 2019 to prevent an overlap with the 2019 state election.

The state opposition is demanding the minister for local government move urgently to determine council mergers in the Hunter to avoid a four-year wait for the next election.

Leader of the Opposition Luke Foley says democracy delayed is democracy denied.

"In Orange, constituents have demonstrated how unpopular forced mergers are. The Government needs to listen - not delay local elections," he said.

Councils that are still subject to merger proposals are being told they need to have an election date set.

The electoral commission or the local government office have not confirmed whether these councils would have elections within their existing boundaries.

Shadow Minister for Local Councils Peter Primrose is accusing the Baird government of making this up as they go along.

"The gun is still being held at the head of local councils and their local communities.

"This is just an ongoing dog's breakfast of a process. People aren't being consulted and now they're being told they may not have elections until September 2020, that is just a crazy thing in terms of local democracy

"Mike Baird can be sure that the communities that have been denied democracy will send a message come 2019," Mr. Primrose said.

A spokesperson for the Minister for Local Government, Paul Toole says "the minister is considering all proposals following the receipt of all the Delegates reports and comments from the Boundaries Commission."

NSW Premier Mike Baird was not available for comment.

Shadow Minister for Local Government
Peter Primrose

NSW Leader of the Opposition
Luke Foley.