Nick Minchin (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance and Administration) Share this | Hansard source

We do defend our legislation with respect to Queensland local government, as my learned friend Senator David Johnston has explained. We do not choose necessarily to interfere in the affairs of the state of Queensland, but I think Senator Allison should understand that what Premier Beattie is doing is quite extraordinary and tramples all over proper democratic principles. It has always been my view that a state government does have a proper responsibility for the organisation of local government in its domain. We are talking about the third tier of government; we are not dealing with the local tennis club. We are dealing with a proper level of government with significant responsibilities who are elected by their constituents.