Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry has called upon the Queensland Labor Government to explain how a contender for the local government election can be appointed as Mayor without being democratically elected with a majority.
Ms Landry said she is devastated to see Mayor Margaret Strelow resign.
“Mayor Margaret Strelow and I have a strong and productive relationship based on shared priorities for the Rockhampton region. I have hosted her many times on visits to Canberra and with visiting Federal Ministers and she has always conducted herself with the highest possible standards. She will be sorely missed.
Ms Landry question the Queensland Labor Party’s policies on local government elections, labelling them as “undemocratic” and “farcical”.
“How on earth can the Queensland Labor Government put in laws that means if the Mayor resigns or passes away within the first 12 months of their term, the person with the second highest votes is automatically appointed?”
“These laws just defy belief.
“The Queensland Labor Party can sleep easy knowing they have installed a Greens-aligned Mayor smack bang in the middle of coal country.
“I have nothing against Mr Hooper personally, but I fundamentally disagree with a great deal of the policies he wants to implement in Rockhampton. “I’m calling on the Member for Rockhampton, Member for Keppel and the rest of the Queensland Labor Government to stand up and do something about this,” Ms Landry said.
