Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

New South Wales Minister’s council squad sparks new merger row

The New South Wales State Government and the Opposition have clashed over council amalgamations focusing on a special investigation squad set up by the Local Government Minister.

Last month the Opposition Spokesperson for Local Government Andrew Fraser claimed that the squad was there to find problems to use against councils. He said the new squad would use the information to aid the NSW Government to force boundary changes on councils.

In response, the Local Government Minister, Tony Kelly, said the squad was to carry out an election commitment under the second stage of his Local Government reform program.

Minister Kelly said it had always been the role of the Local Government Department to oversee the complaints processes, financial management and probity of councils. He said the investigators were continuing that role and assisting the councils.

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