Media Release

THE people must have control of the exercise of local government powers, said Australian Party Federal Leader Bob Katter and State Leader Aidan McLindon in a joint statement today from the Atherton Tablelands.

In a State Government, an elected official answerable to the people is at the head of every government department – he or she is called a Cabinet Minister.

These powers – called executive powers – were taken from city and shire councils under the new Local Government Act (2009).

Mr Katter said he had heard very strong opinions expressed throughout North Qld – in Cairns, Mount Isa and across the Atherton Tablelands.

"The frustrations are not only coming from the people, but from councillors themselves," said the Federal Member for Kennedy.

"These executive powers rested with the councillors prior to the new Act."

Mr McLindon said all 73 councils across Qld were subjected to "shadows of fascism".

"The powers of the people have vanished at local government level," said the Member for Beaudesert.

"The elected councils are being blamed when in fact their powers have been reduced to point where you might argue that they are there simply as a committee to make policy statements.

"We have had case after case of people being subjected to arbitrary power, from tyrannical town planners down to dog catchers."