Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A NEW job as the Minister for Local Government will see Bathurst MP Paul Toole move into a plush new office in the heart of Sydney at Governor Macquarie Towers.
The high rise building is where Ministers in the NSW Government, including Premier Mike Baird, are based when they are not at State Parliament.
Mr Toole was sworn in to the ministry by Governor Marie Bashir at an official ceremony at Government House this morning.
He told the Western Advocate early this morning that news of his appointment to Mike Baird's new look team was still sinking in and that he is determined to hit the ground running.
"It's straight down to business," Mr Toole said. "After being sworn in along with the other Ministers by the Governor this morning I will be taken on a tour of Governor Macquarie Towers. It will also be a chance to familiarise myself with my new office there and staff.
"I will be based there, but will also work out of offices at Parliament house on sitting days."
Mr Toole said he expected to receive plenty of reading material to get through over the next week or so to bring him up to running speed as the Minister for Local Government.
"There's also briefing sessions being organised for me with local government senior staffers which will help getting up to running speed on the new portfolio," he said.
"However, I already have a pretty good handle on things coming from a long history of involvement in local government before entering state politics.
"I know my predecessor Don Page did a lot of work in regard to the local government reform process and I will be reviewing those documents before looking to take the next step forward in this regard.
"The government has stated there will be no forced amalgamations and I aim to honour that, but there are also some councils who have already indicated they want to take up voluntary amalgamations with support from the state government to work through the process."
Mr Toole said there has been widespread consultation about amalgamations with recommendations being made on which councils could best benefit from this type of initiative.
"All councils know they have to do things better and cannot continue to operate simply doing nothing," he said. "They must look at sharing resources and ensure they are able to provide effective services to the communities they represent.
"They must also be a viable operation because reports show that in years to come 50 per cent of councils are at risk of being classified as being financially unviable."
Mr Toole said his new role as the Minister for Local Government would not hinder his drive to represent his local electorate.
"Despite this promotion, my electorate will always remain my number one priority," he said. "I will not forget the people for voted to put me here and have supported me through my journey as a politician to this stage.
"Being a Minister means greater accountability and I welcome that, but it also means there's greater opportunities for me to look at securing bigger picture projects for my electorate.
"I certainly won't be backward in getting in the Premier's ear to have my say. I have a reputation down here in Sydney as being a vocal and fierce fighter for what I believe in and that won't change. I will kick up a stink when I think it's warranted."