South Burnett Deputy Mayor Keith Campbell has called for the scrapping of three-year terms for the Federal Government, saying Parliament should run for fixed, four-year periods.
The former National Party candidate for the State seat of Nanango said on Thursday it was “about time” the Federal Government ran for four years with predetermined election dates “which may enable them to make strategic decisions as opposed to what appears to be on-the-run decisions which lack vision for the future of our nation”.
“Australia deserves better than to be pulled from pillar to post by a Federal system that is really only two years of real decision-making,” Cr Campbell said.
“It takes a new government months to get settled into office and then there are several months they are in election mode.
“Three-year terms are not good government and their poor decision-making impacts directly on State and Local governments.
“Having worked in a four-year cycle I can attest to the merits of this system and encourage both levels of government to address this issue sooner rather than later.
“The voting population is very aware of the issues and would be supportive of better government so other governments should dismiss any thoughts of electoral backlash and make a decision for the good of the country.”
Mayor Wayne Kratzmann said there were no surprises for the South Burnett in Tuesday’s Federal Budget.
“The Budget was expected. The many leaks that occurred all had a common theme which was revenue was massively overstated and spending needs to be reined in,” Cr Kratzmann said.
“The deficit is a worry as the Budget is predicted to be in the red for many years. Not having a surplus means that the amount of funds that could be made available to local councils is reduced.
“We have seen these cuts over the past year with the Federal Government reducing our funding.
“They did this again in September after the financial year was well underway causing Council to have to make significant budget adjustments including reduced spending on roads.
“I had hoped funding for Councils from the Federal Government would be reintroduced but I cannot see this happening in the foreseeable future. Local government has no choice but to be largely self-funded to deliver on our critical work programs.”
Cr Campbell, who is Council’s Finance portfolio spokesman, said Council cannot continue to have roads funding “disappear” midway during the year.
“This is not an acceptable position,” he said. “The tinkering at the margins with the Federal Budget is not acceptable.”
