Coomalie council dismissed by NT government after investigation finds 'serious deficiencies'
The Coomalie council was put under official management in July last year when former NT local government minister Chansey Paech suspended its members and launched an official investigation into "a number of deficiencies" in the handling of council affairs.
On Friday, Local Government Minister Steve Edginton dismissed all elected members of the council.
"The decision to dismiss members of the Coomalie Community Government Council was difficult but necessary," he said.
A statement from the minister's office said Mr Edgington's decision was "based on serious and sustained deficiencies in the Council's governance and operations".
"It underscores the importance of elected members meeting their obligations under the Local Government Act 2019 and serving the best interests of their communities," Mr Edgington said.
The council's area includes Adelaide River, Batchelor and Lake Bennett.
The minister's decision follows the completion of an investigation into the council by former Palmerston council CEO Cathryn Hutton.
Mr Edgington's office said the report, which has not been publicly released, found the members "lacked a full understanding of their responsibilities" as councillors.
Other key findings noted by the minister's office included "significant interpersonal conflicts" among council members, "insufficient administration of meetings" and some "serious procedural errors".
Local Government Association NT president Kon Vatskalis said he was not surprised by the dismissal.
Mr Vatskalis said there needed to be consequences for breaching the code of conduct for individuals.
"There are people out there, elected members, who have 1, 2 [or] 23 breaches of code of conduct, and there's nothing that can be done about it because [there is] nothing in the legislation," he said.
He believes Mr Edgington has plans to change the legislation, but said it had been prioritised last in a raft of local government reforms.
"Sorry minister, it should be the other way round. Fix the code of conduct first and everything else will fall into line," he said.
An election will be held for the Coomalie council on August 23.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
states and territories agree to reforms to protect children
Attorney-General of Australia Michelle Rowland is joined by her state counterparts as she speaks to the media during a press conference at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Offices in Sydney, Friday, August 15, 2025. ( AAP Image/Dean Lewins )
ABC News
2 hours ago
- ABC News
Queensland teachers considering further strike action as pay negotiations continue
Queensland teachers have given the government until the end of the month to offer a better pay deal or face further teacher strikes. More than 50,000 teachers walked off the job last Wednesday after negotiations with the government broke down. That was in response to an offer of an 8 per cent pay increas over the next three years — a deal the QTU president Cresta Richardson last week said would have made Queensland teachers the "lowest paid in the country". In a letter to Queensland Teachers Union members seen by the ABC, general secretary Kate Ruttiman said if a "reasonable offer" was not made by August 29, the union will vote on a date for another 24-hour work stoppage. She said resolutions carried at strike rallies across the state last Wednesday showed strong support for another 24-hour strike if a better offer wasn't made. "In considering these resolutions, QTU Executive determined that, should a reasonable offer not be made by Friday 29 August … QTU State Council will choose the date for the next statewide 24-hour stoppage." The letter confirmed the ultimatum had been communicated to the education department and the government. The union must provide seven days notice for protected strike action. QTU vice president Leah Olsen said the union was treating strike action as a "last resort" option to push for a better deal. "We do not take industrial action lightly. It's been 16 years since the QTU teachers and school leaders have taken state-wide action," she said. The QTU state council is expected to meet on August 30 and will discuss the potential for further 24-hour work stoppages, Ms Olsen said. "We won't have a decision until two weeks' time of how that action [sic] and what that action's going to look like across the state." Ms Olsen said the union was asking for salaries "among the highest paid in the country" and better work conditions as part of their negotiation. "We need to make sure we've got attraction and retention so people are coming into our schools and staying in our schools, and we also need to make sure that we have safe and healthy workplaces," she said. "Further strike action during school hours can be avoided if the government delivers a package members see value in." In a statement, Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek said the government remains in "good faith" negotiations with the union. "The conciliation process has started through the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission, and we remain at the table to finalise an agreement that ensures our teachers are well remunerated and respected," he said. Opposition Leader Steven Miles said the government has treated teachers with "complete disrespect". "[Mr Langbroek] has entirely dropped the ball and what we've seen is that when the premier cares about a group of public servants he can intervene and get an EBA done," he said. "If Queensland parents have to go to the inconvenience again of finding care arrangements for their kids, because our teachers have been forced to strike again, well the responsibility for that will rest with the education minister and the premier."
Daily Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Daily Telegraph
Aussies explode over Albo's latest cash grab
Don't miss out on the headlines from Motoring. Followed categories will be added to My News. Earlier this week, we published a story about the Federal Government's intention to introduce a road user charge (RUC) for electric vehicle (EV) owners. A per-kilometre tax to replace the fuel excise revenue lost as more Australians switch to electric vehicles. The proposal encouraged more than 2000 readers to comment. What followed was a passionate public policy debate, part stand-up comedy and a masterclass in Australian scepticism. RELATED: Carmaker's fury over Albo's new road tax Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers has long flagged the development of a new road-user charge across Australia for drivers of electric vehicles to ensure EV drivers are contributing a fair share to road upgrades. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman While the conversation is divided, a large majority of readers believe EV drivers should contribute to road maintenance. But many also say the policy must be fair, transparent and apply equally across all vehicle types. 'Tax the trucks, not the Teslas,' one reader wrote, summing up a sentiment that hundreds of readers agreed with. Another, HelpMeOverHere, accused the government of double standards: 'A mining truck the size of a suburban street guzzles thousands of litres a week and gets all the fuel tax refunded.' The 'free ride' is over Many of our readers argue it's simply time for EV owners to pay their way. They believe that EV owners are currently getting a 'free ride' by avoiding the fuel excise, which raises more than $15 billion annually. 'There is not one solitary argument that supports the notion that EV drivers should be able to use the roads and not contribute to their upkeep. Not one,' nonedeplume said. RELATED: New EV tax makes no sense Heavy vehicles cause heavy road damage. Stephen argued: 'EV manufacturers are upset that the free ride is coming to an end and the EV drivers will have to pay to use the road like everyone else.' But others saw it less as fairness, more as the government's latest 'gotcha' tax. 'It's always the proletariat that has to pay for incompetent government,' Walker Texas Ranger said. 'Just another tax to prevent us from moving up in the world.' Some readers proposed replacing the fuel excise entirely with a universal RUC. 'Why don't we scrap the fuel excise and then just apply a RUC to all road users - that would then be fair to ALL road users regardless of what type of fuel (petrol, diesel, EV, hybrid),' Gaynor said. The trucking elephant in the room A big chunk of outrage was over Australia's heavy freight industry. Many said heavy vehicles are the 'culprits' and should pay more, given their impact on infrastructure. Fair enough. RELATED: What new Albo road tax would mean for you EV owners fear a new road tax will hit them harder than fuel guzzlers. Picture: AFP Infrastructure Australia data shows that one five-axle truck causes the same road wear as 2900 cars. The actual ratio varies depending on factors like axle weight and road construction, but a truck's damage is often cited as being much higher than 2900. Currently, heavy vehicles pay a RUC of 32.4 cents per litre, set to rise 6 per cent annually until 2025-2026. They also pay the federal fuel excise, now around 51-52 cents per litre - but operators can claim back the difference through fuel tax credits, reducing their net cost by about 20 cents per litre. 'Trucks are the issue,' Grande_choice said. 'All those regional roads are getting slammed by trucks but not EVs.' Aussie drivers are split over who should really pay the price. Picture NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard Rural drivers fear being slugged harder Polestar Australia's managing director Scott Maynard said a one-size-fits-all approach could unfairly hit regional drivers who travel long distances for essential services. According to Australians tend to drive longer distances for essentials and often live further out because property is more affordable. 'People in regional areas generally are poorer and drive more distances to get from A to B,' BobtheBuilder said. 'Hence why the CEO (Scott Maynard) makes the point that they will be discriminated against.' Reader Vicki agreed: 'I'm rural and 75km from my nearest town, doctor, supermarket…city EV owners with public transport will cost them nothing, and rural/regional drivers big money. When the policy debate turned into a comedy set In between the policy arguments came some memorable one-liners that had me chuckling hard. 'If it can't be eaten or plucked, it will be taxed.' 'The word of the day is fungible.' 'I'm just going to wait until a hamster-powered car comes out.' 'How about we bring in a tax on breathing?' Another day, another tax for Albo?. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short The green glow-up….or greenwash? Some readers went straight for the environmental jugular. 'It's time the idealists wake up to the fact that electric cars aren't better for the environment…they will never pay off the carbon footprint cost of making the batteries,' Mark wrote. But Adam added, 'battery disposal facilities are already at 90+ per cent recyclability…the 'cut even' point for emissions is approx 37,000km.' Trusting the government…like trusting a cheating ex Underlying much of the conversation was the distrust of the government. Even commenters who back the idea of EVs paying said they didn't trust Canberra to use the money for roads. 'For FY23-24 the fuel excise raised $15b while [the] government only spent $10bn on roads,' Bryn wrote. 'When is it enough?' 'It's just revenue raising,' Jeff said. 'Once they have you hooked, they tax you.' The road ahead So the consensus? Most readers agree that EV drivers should pay and contribute. But it's simple, they want it to be fair. If the government can deliver that, they might just win people over. But if not, they'll be left with a few angry Australians. Originally published as Aussies explode over Albo's latest cash grab
