Member for Orange Phil Donato is calling on the NSW government to reinstate local council elections this year saying it's imperative communities have a "democratic voice".
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Mr Donato said we have the capability to conduct elections in a safe manner and postal or electronic voting may now play an increasing role in the voting process.
"As public health order restrictions continue to ease, there is no further need of delaying local government elections," he said.
"As we emerge from COVID-19 restrictions to restore life in our towns and villages, our communities need renewed leadership to bring about positive change.
"Locals having their say in who is elected is an important part of how communities cohere and how they will recover post-COVID."
Mr Donato said communities across regional NSW have suffered economic ravages from drought, unprecedented bushfires and now the coronavirus pandemic.
"The pandemic is causing NSW Government to make many rapid decisions," he said.
"Postponing the September 2020 local government elections for twelve months is a decision that was made with unnecessary haste."
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