SA Best MP and key Upper House crossbencher Frank Pangallo says he would likely back rate cap plan if councils pull off a backflip

A CONTROVERSIAL plan to cap council rates has a renewed chance of becoming law, as a key crossbencher says he would strongly consider backing it if local government backflips.

A CONTROVERSIAL plan to cap council rates has a renewed chance of becoming law, as a key crossbencher says he would strongly consider backing it if local government backflips.

Local Government Minister Stephan Knoll this week released the details of his final model to put a limit on skyrocketing council rates, which included key tweaks to counter the concerns of councils. It includes the ability to raise rates to cover new development costs, and Mr Knoll said he hoped councils would see the final plan was not the “bogey man” they feared.

The Local Government Association will next week set a date for a special meeting to decide its position on a cap, amid urgings from Lord Mayor Martin Haese and others to reverse pre-election opposition to a cap.

SA Best MP Frank Pangallo was personally briefed by Mr Knoll yesterday and told The Advertiser he would strongly consider voting for a cap if councils accepted it. He and fellow SA Best MP Connie Bonaros opposed a council rate cap at the election.

SA Best MP Frank Pangallo says he would consider voting for a rate cap if the councils accepted it.

“If most of the councils are for it, it’s a pretty compelling argument,” Mr Pangallo said.

“If they think it’s not going to harm them in any way, I’m not going to stand in the way.”

Mr Pangallo stressed a final position would have to be decided with Ms Bonaros, who is currently on leave. Backing from the two SA Best MPs and independent John Darley would deliver the Government enough votes to pass the legislation even if Labor remained against. Mr Darley yesterday said he was “definitely in support” of rate capping, and that position was so strong he this week dismissed an attempt from Mr Knoll to convince him of the merits. Greens MP Mark Parnell, whose party has the remaining two Upper House crossbench votes, said he would consider any new information but believed councils should set their own rates.

“The basic principle of the Parliament telling the third tier of government, local councils how much money they can raise, we don’t accept that main premise,” he said.

Mr Knoll said: “It’s encouraging to see that SA Best crossbenchers now appear to be willing to support our rate capping policy to lower costs for SA households and businesses”.

“Other parties need to explain why they are continuing to deny hip pocket relief.”