AMALGAMATION: 21 DECEMBER 2016

What a difference an electoral kick in the pants makes

At 6.45pm on Monday evening, Marj Bollinger, prominent spokesperson for Cabonne’s Amalgamation No Thank You (ANTY) group, received a call from the office of the Minister for Local Government, Paul Toole, requesting a meeting the next morning.

“Over the past 18 months Minister Toole’s office has been provided with mountains of information from ANTY, Cabonne Council and its residents, including letters, emails, petitions, submissions, inquiries and press releases, as to why Cabonne should not be forcibly merged,” said Jock Haynes, Chairman of ANTY.

“It therefore came as a surprise, to hear that now he ‘was here to listen’, especially given he has previously ignored all arguments put by the people who actually live in Cabonne in favour of what his city-based bureaucrats were whispering in his ear.

“What a difference an electoral kick in the pants makes!

“It appears that John Barilaro is now in control, and calling the shots after taking over from Troy Grant.

“Whether Mr Toole was just going through the motions because his boss told him to, or whether he genuinely is interested in ‘listening’, only his actions will tell.”

Marj Bollinger reports that the meeting lasted almost an hour and included one of Toole’s staff and Peter Batten, a staunch ANTY supporter.

“Mr Toole reiterated many times that he was ‘here to listen, not to make statements to be quoted’,” said Marj.

“We suggested to Mr Toole that there were some options for Cabonne to stand alone — options that we had given to Mr Barilaro at our recent meeting.

“Due to the short notice given to prepare for Tuesday’s meeting I would be happy to forward those to him and requested a further meeting.

“Mr Toole agreed that he would be available in the New Year to discuss the options.”

Based on media release issued by ANTY.