Shadow Minister for Local Government Chris Hartcher has today described the current administration of Burwood Council as the worst in Western Sydney and totally unfit to continue in office. Mr Hartcher was campaigning in Burwood for the Liberal Team headed by John Sidoti.

“There’s a dark cloud over Burwood Council. The current administration has shown itself unfit, its abandoned the people of Burwood to the ‘tender mercy’ of Frank Sartor”, said Mr Hartcher.

“The NSW Coalition intends to seek an urgent inquiry into the administration when Parliament resumes on 23 September. Residents of Burwood might just as well have not had a Council in recent years given that the existing Council has been unable or unwilling to protect them against overdevelopment”, Mr Hartcher said.

“The time has come for the people of Burwood to throw out Labor and elect an alternative that is fit to govern,” said Chris Hartcher.

Mr Hartcher is supporting John Sidoti, the Liberal Candidate for Burwood and head of the Liberal Team.

“The Liberal Party has been investigating Burwood Council for some time and is amazed at the continuing and ongoing conflict of interest shown by some Labor Councillors. Burwood Council cannot run effectively when Labor Councillors continually defer Council decisions because no quorum can be obtained because the Labor Mayor and mates have to remove themselves. The Mayor has removed himself 17 times over the past 4 years and had holiday to Lebanon, originally funded by ratepayers, then reimbursed after an ICAC inquiry”, said Mr Hartcher.

Mr Sidoti, a small business owner and long time resident of the Inner West is determined to clean up Burwood Council and put an end to the money politics that we have seen under Labor.

“For a Council to continually be interrupted by conflicts of interest by Labor Councillors and the Council unable to vote on basic issues and deal with the fundamental basic responsibilities is ridiculous”, said Mr Sidoti.

“Burwood residents need a Mayor that can actually oversee Council and vote on issues affecting ratepayers. If the Labor Mayor cannot do his job, then he should stand down from the election”, said Chris Hartcher.