Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party Member for Orange Philip Donato fired back at gutless National Party MPs who were too scared to speak on his Council amalgamations referendums bill today.

“The National Party have once again showed that they will do whatever the Liberal Party wants them to do, even if it’s bad for their own electorates,” Mr Donato said. 

"The Nationals claim that they're listening to rural communities, but their actions tell a different story.

“Today, not a single National Party MP had the guts to speak on this bill. Instead they hid behind the Minister who talked for as long as she could to run out of time for the debate. In politics this tactic is called filibustering.

“The Labor Party tried to gag the Minister’s filibuster, but the National Party came to the rescue to allow Minister Upton to continue speaking.

“Effectively, the National Party prevented a vote on this bill happening today.

“Since we didn’t have a vote on this referendums bill today, I expect the Cootamundra by-election and the 2019 State election to be referendums on the Governments forced Council amalgamations.”

Mr Donato addressed National Party MPs who have had forced Council mergers in their own electorates.

“Now each Nationals MP who has had a forced Council amalgamation take place in their own electorate must explain to every single voter why they stopped them having a say on forced mergers.

“Troy Grant, Adrian Piccoli, Katrina Hodgkinson, Stephen Bromhead, Leslie Williams, Michael Johnsen, Adrian Piccoli, and John Barilaro must all explain why they don’t want their forced Council mergers to come under public scrutiny.”

Mr Donato will continue his fight to pass the Local Government Amendment (Amalgamation Referendums) Bill through Parliament.

Forced Council Mergers in National Party Electorates

The following forced Council amalgamations happened under the watch of these National Party MPs:

• Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council
  • Katrina Hodgkinson (Cootamundra MP)

• Dubbo Regional Council
  • Troy Grant (Dubbo MP)

• Edward River Council
  • Adrian Piccoli (Murray MP)

• Hilltops Council
  • Katrina Hodgkinson (Cootamundra MP)

• Mid-Coast Council
  • Stephen Bromhead (Myall Lakes MP)
  • Leslie Williams (Port Macquarie MP)
  • Michael Johnsen (Upper Hunter MP)
    
    
• Murray River Council
  • Adrian Piccoli (Murray MP)
    
    
• Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council
  • John Barilaro (Monaro MP)
    
    
• Snowy Monaro Regional Council
  • John Barilaro (Monaro MP)

Download Philip Donato's press release here.