Qld: Noosa anti-merger rally targets Rudd

AAP General News (Australia)
08-31-2007
Qld: Noosa anti-merger rally targets Rudd

By Evan Schwarten

NOOSA, Qld Aug 31 AAP - Angry Sunshine Coast residents have targeted federal Labor
leader Kevin Rudd in a colourful protest against the Queensland government's forced council
amalgamations.

Hundreds gathered on Noosa's main beach today for the "Dump Labor" rally.

The protesters wore anti-amalgamation T-shirts and waved placards attacking Mr Rudd
and Queensland Premier Peter Beattie.

From March next year, the state government plans to cut the number of councils from 157 to 73.

The protesters fear the amalgamation of Noosa Shire with nearby Maroochy and Caloundra
councils will lead to unwelcome development in the environmentally-aware community.

Protest leaders dumped human sized cutouts of Mr Beattie and Mr Rudd and Queensland
Local Government Minister Andrew Fraser into wheelie bins to cheers and applause from
the crowd.

Friends of Noosa spokesman Bob Ansett called on Mr Rudd to intervene to stop the amalgamation
or face an electoral backlash.

"He is the head of the Labor Party, he's got to tell Peter Beattie what he's doing
could cost Labor government," Mr Ansett said.

"Peter Beattie has to be responsive to the head of the Labor Party."

A passer-by briefly disrupted the protest during a speech by deputy Nationals leader
Warren Truss by attempting to shout down the speaker with questions about the political
motivations of the protest.

Mr Ansett also announced plans to join forces with other communities to form an "anti-amalgamation
army" ahead of the federal election expected by the end of the year.

He promised a statewide advertising campaign including TV and radio advertising and
mobile billboards in marginal electorates.

A "Save Noose - Dump Labor" billboard would also follow Mr Beattie around on a daily basis.

"We are becoming increasingly active with other councils to win this fight and let
me assure you we will win," Mr Ansett told the crowd.

AAP ews/ac/pjo/cjh/bwl

KEYWORD: COUNCILS NOOSA LEAD (PIX AVAILABLE)

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