Tuckerman says no to early election

Minister for Local Government Wendy Tuckerman has written to all those people who signed an e-petition asking for elections for councillors earlier than 2024.

Ms Tuckerman was not persuaded by the less than 800 people who signed the petition.

But in her letter, she assured residents that “that all avenues available to restore confidence in the functioning of the Council are being explored and enacted”.

She said that the extended period of administration would give Council’s Chief Executive Officer and Administrator sufficient time to put measures and controls in place to address the issues uncovered by the public enquiry and to implement its recommendations before elected councillors were returned.

And she said she had directed the Office of Local Government to utilise this extended period of administration to continue its work with Council and local communities throughout the Council’s local government area to develop a robust effective plan for Council’s future governance.

“I expect this plan to account for public and stakeholder views as the imperative to deliver on the Government’s commitment to build a stronger future for local council communities across the State,” she said.