NSW Labor have urged the Minister for Local Government, Shelley Hancock MP, to take responsibility and clearly explain why she refused to allowed Snowy Valleys Council and Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council to demerge.
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Shadow Minister for Local Government, Greg Warren MP, wrote to Minister Hancock following her refusal to allow the demergers to seek a clear and concise explanation as to how the Minister reached her decisions.
In her reply, Minister Hancock said "following careful consideration" it was determined the "reports did not provide a clear consensus on the issue of demerging".
Minister Hancock has attempted to shift the blame for the demergers debacle, announcing an inquiry would be held into the Local Government Boundaries Commission as a result of the demergers inquiry process.
"The Minister needs to take responsibility for her own actions and stop blaming others - like the members of the Local Government Boundaries Commission," Mr Warren said.
"It is the Minister and her NSW Government colleagues that are responsible for the bungled demergers policy.
"it is the Minister and her NSW Government colleagues who are responsible for the dire predicament Snowy Valleys Council and Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council find themselves in.
"And it is the Minister who dismissed all the advice from the members of the Local Government Boundaries Commission and refused to allow the demergers.
"The best way for the Minister to get a 'clear consensus' on this issue is to let residents in both council areas decide if they want to demerge or not.
"NSW Labor has vowed to allow those councils to hold a referendum into a possible demerger and to support the outcome.
"Why won't Minister Hancock and her NSW Government do the same thing?"