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6th March 2008
Rev Fred Nile Supports Local Government (Election Date) Bill
The Rev Hon Fred Nile MLC, Leader of the Christian Democratic Party, supported the Local Government (Election Date) Bill 2008 in the NSW Upper House yesterday.
“The Christian Democratic Party supports the bill, which will amend the Local Government Act 1993 to change the date of ordinary elections of councillors from the fourth to the second Saturday in December every four years, commencing in 2008, and make associated amendments. As the Leader of the Government commented during his speech, approximately four years ago I played a role in changing the date for local government elections to September. Since then new school holiday periods have been introduced based on four school terms instead of three school terms. The date originally decided for local government elections has been affected by the school holiday season”, said Rev Fred Nile MLC.
“The Christian Democratic Party supports the revised date and notes that provision has been made to provide parties with additional time in which to nominate. The legislation provides that a political party may nominate candidates only 12 months after the date of registration of the party. I note from the website of the New South Wales Electoral Commission that the number of political parties registered to contest the local government elections has increased greatly. The suggestion has been made that State and local government elections should be combined and held on the same date. However, local government has become so complicated that that would not be helpful. The date provided by the legislation should be adhered to.
The Christian Democratic Party strongly supports local government as a grassroots level of democracy. Some members have suggested that the Select Committee on Electoral and Political Party Funding, which I chair, will be hearing from the Local Government Association and councils. The recommendations made by the select committee eventually will be in the hands of the Government. Hopefully the adoption of this legislation will be timely for local government elections that will be held on 8 September. The Christian Democratic Party supports the bill”, stated Rev Nile.