Deputy Leader of the Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party and Member for Orange Philip Donato MP
Deputy Leader of the Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party and Member for Orange Philip Donato MP is calling on the NSW Government to reinstate council elections, so that local communities’ democratic voice is returned and they can elect representatives to initiate recovery and renewal.
With communities across regional NSW suffering the economic consequences from years of devastating drought, unprecedented bushfires and now COVID-19, communities deserve to have their voices heard in order to rebuild local economies.
Philip expressed that the pandemic has caused the NSW Government to make many rapid decisions, however, postponing the September 2020 Local Government elections for 12 months is a decision that Philip feels was made with unnecessary haste.
“To delay democracy for a whole year will delay economic healing and development, such a lengthy delay is unnecessary and no longer justifiable, we have the capability to conduct elections in a safe manner, by following health advice and adhering to social distancing at booths,” Philip said.
Philip went on to say that “as public health order restrictions continue to ease, there is no further need of delaying Local Government elections.”