Fed: PM to override Qld ban on council referenda =3

AAP General News (Australia)
08-16-2007
Fed: PM to override Qld ban on council referenda =3

Mr Howard said the commonwealth had been given legal advice that it can act in this way.

He said the "arbitrary jackbooted fashion" in which Queensland sought to impose amalgamations
was "beyond the pale".

"We're going to act to prevent that occurring," he said.

"And we have legal advice that we can do so."

Mr Howard said the commonwealth was not expressing a view as to whether any individual
mergers should occur.

"We accept that in some parts of Queensland there will be strong support for particular
mergers," he said.

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KEYWORD: COUNCILS HOWARD 3 CANBERRA

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