Great to get Alan on-side and some air-time for amalgamation! Podcast is here.

Alan Jones has correctly identified a hidden agenda, describing amalgamation as a ‘hoax’. He referred to mining. The Beattie Government wanted a mining invasion in Queensland and chose to amalgamate councils to help do this. By amalgamating councils there are less people to deal with and it is easier to get things through. Holroyd Council wants to know why they should be amalgamated – potential loss of (child care, free vaccination) or reduction in services (waste). Brian Dollery added that controversial property development was also a reason for council amalgamations – easier to get developments through. Some of the other key points include:

i.  No evidence of lower costs, or more efficiencies or financial viability from amalgamation – no relationship between size and financial viability

ii.  Dollery mentions the ridiculous story that to save the…