Fed: Rudd supports PM's plan to override QLD law

AAP General News (Australia)
08-16-2007
Fed: Rudd supports PM's plan to override QLD law

CANBERRA, Aug 16 AAP - Federal Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd says he will support a
bid by Prime Minister John Howard to overturn a Queensland ban on local councils holding
referenda on mergers.

Mr Howard today announced he would introduce a law to override a Queensland law that
prohibits local councils from supporting referenda on forced council amalgamations.

Mr Rudd, who opposes the Queensland Labor government's policy of slashing the number
of councils in the state from 156 to 72, today said federal Labor would support the bill
proposed by Mr Howard.

"I have disagreed with it (forced council mergers), disagreed with it for the last
three months," Mr Rudd told reporters.

"And on top of that disagreement, when it comes to fines or the threat of fines and
the making it illegal for local authorities to test the sentiment of their local voters
if they so wish, I've disagreed with those courses of action on the part of Mr Beattie.

"And therefore, the course of action which has been outlined by Mr Howard I'm prepared
to support."

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KEYWORD: COUNCILS RUDD

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