Ron Boswell (Queensland, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to Senator Johnston, the Minister representing the Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads. Are you aware of an open letter advertisement in a Central Queensland newspaper where the federal opposition leader states that he has asked Premier Beattie to review his council amalgamation proposal, asserting that ‘local councils are the lifeblood of rural and regional towns’? Further, is the minister concerned that Queensland rural shires are already suffering from the Beattie government’s proposed amalgamation of councils? Would the minister be prepared to offer himself as a mediator between the Queensland Premier and the federal opposition leader on this matter?