The Local Government Association of Queensland is outraged by suggestions a 'public service-style commission' is needed to rule over councils across Queensland.
LGAQ President, Mark Jamieson said he was deeply disturbed by the report in today’s newspaper and condemned the suggestion State Government should take over and control the 40,000 strong local government workforce in Queensland.
'The suggestion of a public service-style commission is ludicrous,' Cr Jamieson said.
'It beggars belief that public servants in William Street will, under Ministerial direction or influence, set the wages and conditions of staff in councils across the state.'
Cr Jamieson warned mayors and council CEOs would no longer be able to direct their workforce as they have for 150 years.
'My phone hasn’t stopped since the news broke this morning. The LGAQ has also been overwhelmed with calls. Mayors across Queensland are furious,' he said.
'It is sheer madness, and it is regrettable we had to first learn of this from today’s media. It has never been discussed despite our partners in government agreement.'
'I spoke with the Queensland Premier today and warned her this will fundamentally change the relationship between State and local governments if this goes ahead,' Cr Jamieson said.
The LGAQ is calling on the State Government to rethink the proposal before going down this disastrous path.
'The Belcarra recommendations coupled with the additional measures proposed by the LGAQ represent the most comprehensive and far reaching integrity reforms in the history of local government nation wide,' Cr Jamieson said.
'The Government needs to get on and put these in place and not concern itself with unworkable proposals that it would never countenance having imposed on themselves.'
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