Councils ignore orders to focus on local issues

PREMIER Mike Baird’s order to local governments to focus on local issues is being ignored, with a newly appointed administrator asking councillors for their view on same sex-marriage and the safe schools program.

Inner West Council Administrator Richard Pearson.

PREMIER Mike Baird’s order to local governments to focus on local issues is being ignored, with the newly appointed administrator for the amalgamated inner west councils asking councillors for their view on same sex-marriage and the safe schools program.

Government appointed Inner West Council administrator Richard Pearson has written to councillors in Leichhardt, Ashfield and Marrickville as well as councillors in Western Sydney to gauge their support on same-sex marriage and the controversial safe schools program — despite both being federal issues.

One of the reasons Mr Baird and Local Government Minister Paul Toole gave for the reform of councils in NSW was the fact they were focusing on issues outside their remit, with the former Marrickville Council infamously pledging support for the anti-Israel Boycott Divestment and Sanctions movement.

Castle Hill Liberal MP Ray Williams has slammed Mr Pearson’s interference in federal government issues, and said he was aware of councillors across Western Sydney receiving the letters.

“The impetus in relation to amalgamating councils, to reform Local Government, is that Local Government has to concentrate on their core responsibilities,” Mr Williams said.

“Right away we have councils once again prepared to spend taxpayers money on issues that have nothing to do with them.

“One would have thought the administrator, of all people, would be directing councils to fix roads, parks, planning, and get rubbish removed — not getting involved in issues they can’t do one thing about.”

“The Safe Schools and Marriage equality letters were both resolutions of the previous Leichhardt Council”

A spokesman for Mr Toole would not comment on whether Mr Pearson sought permission to send the letters, and just said: “administrators are independent of the Government and they have been appointed to lead new councils until elections can be held next year.”

Mr Pearson defended sending the letters, as it was a decision made by Leichhardt council before it was amalgamated into the inner west body.

“The Safe Schools and Marriage equality letters were both resolutions of the previous Leichhardt Council,” Mr Pearson said.

“However, as the Inner West Council stands for tolerance and is opposed to bullying, it was decided to follow through with the resolutions.

“The Inner West has one of the largest Gay, Lesbian, Bi, Transexual, Queer and Intersex communities of any local government area in Australia.”

Mr Baird announced the council mergers in May, calling it the “most comprehensive local government reform in 100 years.”

The biggest changed included the merged Inner West Council, Auburn and Holroyd which were merged to create Cumberland Council, Hurstville and Kogarah merged to become Georges River Council and Manly, Pittwater and Warringah merged to create Northern Beaches Council.