Premier Mike Baird’s surprise resignation on Thursday brought no joy to Cabonne’s Amalgamation No Thank You (ANTY) group, according to spokeswoman Marj Bollinger.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mrs Bollinger said ANTY aimed to “play the ball, not the man”.
“We don’t want to see resignations, we want to get the process and the policy right,” she said.
“ANTY wishes Mr Baird and his family well.”
Mrs Bollinger said many of the people who were in power when decisions were made about mergers had not listened to the people.
“A change in the deputy premier has seen John Barilaro more interested in talking to ANTY,” she said.
“Hopefully a new face in the position of premier will be more willing to listen and prevent additional costs of court cases and see reason.
“It’s all we’ve asked them to do – see reason.”
Member for Orange Phil Donato wished Mr Baird well for his future.
"I've never met him (Mr Baird), I've only been in the job for two minutes, but he's made a big contribution during his career in politics,” Mr Donato said.
“It's not a win for me, but the people have spoken.
"There's no doubt the byelection had an impact in the last couple of months. It's shown there's decisions which have been unpopular not just in Orange but across NSW.
“All I want to do is get the best for the area. I want a good working relationship with the next premier and the leadership to get the best for the area.”
Following Mr Baird’s resignation a cloud is hanging over the future of the state government’s forced council amalgamations.
I will have to work with the new premier and any new policy as we go forward.
- Local Government Minister Paul Toole
Mr Baird was the driving force behind the program of forced mergers administered by Member for Bathurst and Local Government Minister Paul Toole.
Mr Toole must wait until the Liberal Party elects a new premier next week to learn the future of the mergers.
He will also have to wait and see whether he retains his portfolio following an expected cabinet reshuffle.
“I wouldn’t say I’m worried [that the mergers might be dumped] but I will have to work with the new premier and any new policy as we go forward,” he said.
“Mike was a believer in strong local councils being able to provide better services and infrastructure for their communities but that will now be a decision for the new premier.”
Declan Rurenga
Declan Rurenga was the editor of Griffith's Area News and Leeton's Irrigator until September 2023. Before landing at the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, he reported news in Junee, Wagga Wagga, Orange and Cootamundra.
Declan Rurenga was the editor of Griffith's Area News and Leeton's Irrigator until September 2023. Before landing at the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, he reported news in Junee, Wagga Wagga, Orange and Cootamundra.
