Queensland Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce will be appearing at a community rally, this Friday, in St George. The rally is in protest against Premier Beattie’s plan to amalgamate shire councils.
“St George is a town, like so many others in Queensland, from Noosa to Cunnamulla, which will be devastated by the Beattie regime, a regime with complete disregard for the equal opportunities of Queenslanders.
“Every Queenslander should be allowed to have the expectation there is a level of government within 200km of their residence. No doubt the people of the Gold Coast would hate to be represented from Toowoomba. The people of Brisbane would not like to have their mayoral chambers at Gympie. The people in Hamilton would feel a little off put of in getting a local government issue addressed if they had to drive to Dalby and they would have every right to feel this way.
“People have every right to feel this is a loss of their democratic right. We ask for those not facing this issue, i.e., the people of the South East corner, to support their fellow Queenslanders against this complete slap in the face. It is without reason, it is without need and it is just damn nasty.
“Everybody should put themselves in the shoes of Cunnamulla where their major employer is about to leave town, i.e., the Council. Imagine the incredible sense of insecurity these families have, that their assets are about to become stranded and the value decimated. There are a myriad of towns like this, my own being one.
“Although this will affect farmers and graziers, the main people affected are the people who live on streets. This sort of regional cleansing by this current regime is one of the most appalling episodes of pig headed indifference ever exhibited in the history of this state.
“Travellers throughout our state are attracted by the unique experience of each area, the differentiation of which is brought about by those who live in the immediate area having a say in how that area is run.
“I would very much appreciate those, who have the ability, coming to our town this Friday to help maintain the culture of our state, a great state that believes in decentralisation as a key to our success.” Senator Joyce said.