News Jan – July 2016

1. Forced amalgamations will replace Local Democracy TWT 27 July 16
2. Woollahra Councillors back appeal The Daily Telegraph 26 July 16
3. Woollahra Council loses legal challenge ABC News 20 July 16
4. Woollahra Council loses over mergers SMH 20 July 16
5. Woollahra Council loses merger fight Daily Telegraph 20 July 16
6. Council amalgamations ruling puts Hunters Hill case in jeopardy NDT 20 July 16
7. Liberal MP blasts Baird TWT 20 July 16
8. Baird critical to state Liberals chances of holding on to power Daily Telegraph 6 July 16
9. Federal Election Candidates for North Sydney NDT 29 June 2016
10. Dr Stephen Ruff independent voice for North Sydney TWT 29 June 16
11. Baird has damaged Liberal brand says Greens candidate for North Sydney TWT 22 June 2016
12. Stop forced Council mergers Nella Hall CDP Senate Candidate TWT 29 June 16
13. Baird puts bite on Hunters Hill budget TWT 29 June 2016
14. Hunters Hill votes on forced merger opinion poll TWT 29 June 16
15.  Sydney’s planning storm SMH Elizabeth Farrelly 25 June 16 – pdf
16. Sydney’s Planning Storm Building to a Tempest – Elizabeth Farrelly, SMH 25 June 2016
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21. Alan Jones urges community to fight Baird’s dictatorship TWT 15 June 16
22. Shorten pledges to block Baird’s mergers with plebiscites Daily Telegraph 13 June 16
23. Shorten promises Howard style plebiscite to stop forced mergers TWT 15 June 16
24. NSW Premier Mike Baird Flaws Begin to Show – The Saturday Paper 11 June 2016
25. Election 2016: Malcolm Turnbull urged to halt NSW council mergers – AFR 9 June 2016
26. Alan Jones likens council sackings to Putin’s Russia in speech to sacked mayors ‘summit’ – Daily Telegraph 9 June 2016
27. NSW Council mergers a coup – SBS news 9 June 2016
28. Sacked NSW Mayors Protest at Parliament – 9 News 9 June 2016
29. Tension Still High at Second Mid Coast Meeting – NBN news 8 June 2016
30. Save Our Councils Coalition predicts rusted-on Liberals will desert party at Federal Election 2016 over council amalgamations – Mosman Daily 9 June 2016
31. Protesters on song in council comment – Prime News 8 June 2016
32. Federal cabinet minister Michael Keenan criticised amalgamation timing during Federal Election doorstop with Craig Laundy – Daily Telegraph 7 June 2016
33. When Baird pretends to listen, it invites trouble SMH 4 June 16
34. Democracy now in disrepute SMH Letters 4 June 16
35. Dedicated committee volunteers booted out by Western Plains Regional Council – Daily Liberal 3 June 2016
36. Tumbarumba Residents considering legal action against mergers – 7 news June 3 2016
37. Baird delays council polls at cost of lost trust SMH 2 June 2016
38. Government forced to give up KPMG merger documents Daily Telegraph 2 June 16
39. Baird Government defends KPMG independence SMH 2 June 16
40. A merged Hunter super council was always in the NSW Government’s sights | poll – The Herald 2 June 2016
41. State Government forced to give up KPMG merger documents to the NSW Land and Environment Court – North Shore Times 2  June  2016
42. Baird’s forced amalgamations signed, sealed and delivered by KPMG in sham process – David Shoebridge June 1 2016
43. Council amalgamations: Baird government ordered to reveal KPMG’s role in mergers SMH 1 June 2016
44. Baird ordered to reveal KPMGs role in mergers SMH 1 June 16
45. Court told evidence on merger embarrassing NDT 1 June 16
46. Lane Cove Rally calls for resignation of Roberts and Dominello TWT 1 June 16
47. Alan Jones and Baird the prodigal son TWT 1 June 16
48. Letters to TWT Editor re Forced amalgamations 1 June 2016
49. Council steps up fight says Mayor Quinn TWT 1 June 16
50. Government push for mergers suffers setback SMH 31 May 16
51. Merger will go ahead despite setbacks says Baird News.com 31 May 16
52. Setback on road to NSW council amalgamations The Australian 31 May 16
53. KPMG documents could prevent amalgamations Daily Telegraph 31 May 16
54. KPMG documents could prevent council amalgamations of Hunters Hill and others – Daily Telegraph 31 May 2016
55. Mike Baird’s persona loses its sheen The Guardian 31 May 16
56. Election 2016: Council merger dominates voters’ views in bellwether seat of Eden-Monaro – ABC 31 May 2016The city waiting for change says Stokes SMH Comment 31 May 16
57. Panels to decide fate of $15 million boost SMH 31 May 16
58. Mike Baird’s cool-dad persona loses its sheen when he treats the public like children – The Guardian 31 May 2016
59. BLOOD BATH OVER MIKE BAIRD’S VIVID SYDNEY FACEBOOK POST – Tone-deaf.com.au 30 May 2106
60. Coffs Harbour Mayor joins criticism on council mergers – ABC 31 May 2016
61. Protestors rally against Mike Baird SMH 30 May 16
62. Council dismissals are authoritarian and undemocratic – Brisbane times 30 May 2016
63. Crowds rally against Premier Mike Baird in Sydney Seven News 29 May 2016
64. It’s Mabo. It’s Justice. It’s WestConnex. Protesters rally against Mike Baird’s vibe SMH 29 May 2016
65. Baird losing amalgamations argument SMH 28 May 16
66. Anarchy in the inner west shows Baird is losing the amalgamations argument SMH 28 May 2016
67. Sydney council amalgamations: six key decisions for administrators – SMH 27 May 2016
68. Communities Are Right To Be Furious About Mike Baird’s Council Coup – New Matilda 26 May 2016
69. Baird government under pressure to bring forward election after chaotic Inner West Council meeting
70. Hunters Hill seeks Plebiscite TWT 25 May 16
71. Lane Cove Councillor defies his Liberal mates TWT 25 May 2016
72. Knitting Nannas interrupt first MidCoast Council meeting: photos and video – Great lakes Advocate 25 May 2016
73. Court clash as hold-out councils try to sink Baird’s mergers – Govt News 24 May 2016
74. Liberal Mayor Cheryl Szatow describes Premier Mike Baird as a ‘teenage vandal’ over mergers – Daily Telegraph 26 May 2016
75. Democracy has become meaningless in NSW – May 21 2016
76. Revealed State Government documents could be game-changer in amalgamation battle – Daily Telegraph 20 May 2016
77. Anti-merger protest at Turnbull’s Edgecliff office Wentworth Courier 19 May 16
78. Turnbull’s headache on council amalgamations SMH 19 May 16
79. Waverley votes to hold plebiscite on council mergers SMH 18 May 16
80. Baird’s forced mergers a disgraceful rort says Foley The Guardian 18 May 16
81. SHHMC Coalition demands Roberts Resign TWT 18 May 16
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83. Baird rides roughshod over our community says Mayor Richard Quinn 18 May 2016
84. SHHMC Liberal Mayor disgusted with Liberal Party TWT 18 May 2016
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86. Baird’s amalgamations make voters think twice about Turnbull SMH Letters 15 May 16
87. Council merger fallout widens for Baird and Turnbull SMH 14 May 16
88. Barnaby Joyce seat left alone in Baird’s mergers The Australian 13 May 16
89. Reaction to the NSW Government’s decision to merge local councils AAP 12 May 16
90. NSW council plan a travesty of democracy 12 May 16
91. Fury over forced council mergers – “Pittwater destroyed – Rob Stokes will resign” – ABC News May 12 2016 with additional commentary from Pittwater Pathways
92. Ryde, Hunters Hill survive first merger announcement – Daily Telegraph May 12 2016
93. Alan Jones accuses Mike Baird of trying to Torpedo Malcolm Turnbull over council mergers – May 12 2016
94. Shellharbour Mayor hopping mad over illawarra amalgamations May 12 2016
95. New councils created under forced mergers across new – ABC 12 may 2016
96. Council amalgamations-elected officials out and administrators in after Mike Baird sacks-42 councils-Brisbane Times  May 12 2016
97. Premier forges ahead on mergers – except in the federal marginal seats – SHM 12 May 2016
98. Council amalgamations announced by Premier Mike Baird-12 May 2016
99. Dictator Baird helps Labor’s Chances in Federal Election TWT 11 May 2016
100. Mayors deny gang of six media report on merger TWT 11 May 16
101. North shore council amalgamations raise fears young and independent councillors will be frozen out Daily Telegraph May 11 2016
102. Half of Government’s 20 most vulnerable seats in NSW 8 May 16
103. 95.5% say NO! to forced merger in Kiama poll David Shoebridge 8 May 16
104. Kiama says no to council amalgamations SMH 8 May 16
105. Evan Hughes running for Labor in Wentworth SMH 6 May 16
106. Mayor Quinn blasts move to stop Council taking Baird to court TWT 4 May 16
107. Hunters Hill Council going to Court Mayor Quinn TWT 4 May 16
108. Deputy PM opposes forced amalgamations – ABC NEWS 2 May 2016
109. Botany lodges proposal for merged port council SMH 2 May 16
110. Nationals and federal Liberals against council amalgamations SMH 28 April 16
111. Council amalgamation promises political pain Daily Telegraph 28 April 16
112. Hunters Hill goes to Court to stop forced merger TWT 27 April 16
113. Hunters Hill Council taking Premier to Court NDT 27 April 2016
114. Council cites lack of transparency as cause for action – Daily telegraph April 27 2016
115. Rates Time Bomb for NSW mega-councils – Gvt News April 26 2016
116. Liberal Party on election trail with Zimmerman Daily Telegraph 25 April 16
117. Media Release re Hunters Hill Court Action 22 April 16
118. SHHMC Letter to Roberts and Zimmerman 25 April 2016
119. Hill Council Media Release – Legal action 22 April 16
120. Submission to Boundary Review re Hunters Hill 28 Feb 16
121. Kingmaker Michael Photios controls NSW bloc Daily Telegraph 21 April 16
122. KPMG council merger analysis flawed says Woollahra SMH 21 April 16
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124. KPMG cash for contradictions GovtNews 20 April 16
125. Six councillors said to be chosen for interim council NDT 20 April 16
126. Supreme Court forces Government to hand over merger report GovtNews 19 April 16
127. Govt backs away from sacking GMs SMH 18 April 16
128. Barnaby Joyce supports fight against Baird’s council mergers The Australian 18 April 16
129. Backlash to forced council amalgamations AltMedia 14 April 16
130. Call for city and bush to unite Daily Liberal 13 April 16
131. Only a fifth say Baird is listening re amalgamations Daily Telegraph 9 April 16
132. Baird forced to hand over Delegate report Daily Telegraph 8 April 16
133. Hunters Hill tells Baird where to stick his invitation TWT 6 April 16
134. Time ticking on deadline NDT 6 April 16
135. More councils join legal battle over mergers SMH 6 April 16
136. Baird desperately seeking GMs GovtNews 4 April 16
137. A tale of two charitable foundations The Guardian 2 April 16
138. Turnbull’s mate joins NSW council merger result The Australian 2 April 16
139. Baird honeymoon is over  – The Sunday Telegraph 3 April 16
140. Woollahra takes legal action against council amalgamation  – The Australian 3 April 16
141.  Turnbull’s challenge over political donations SMH 1 April 16
142. Angry donors in NSW Liberal scandal The Australian 31 March 16
143. Property developers on NSW Liberals target donor list SMH 31 March 16
144. Do mergers make for better councils Prof Dollery 31 March 16
145. NSW council amalgamations: request for mayors, councillors to apply for new roles “undemocratic” . ABC NEWS March 28 2016 –
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148. Second Minister in donations row SMH 29 March 16
149. Boundaries Commission chairman to get job done SMH 28 March 16
150. NSW Council Amalgamations: Request for mayors, councillors to apply for new roles “undemocratic” – ABC March 28 2016
151. NSW councillors told to re-apply for their jobs – SMH March 28 2016
152. Malcolm Turnbull must end political donations rorts SMH EDITORIAL 26 March 16
153. Liberal backers approached to buy Sinodinos a home SMH 26 March 16
154. Why Sinodinos fails the pub test SMH 26 March 16
155. EC_DPC_Form_v03Letter to Mayors for the Hon. Paul Toole MP (councillor EOI)
156. SOCC Response to Ministers letter to Councillors 25 March 16
157. Ku-ring-gai Council launches court action 24 March 16SHHMC
158. Arthur Sinodinos under renewed pressure over Liberal donations scandal SMH 24 March 16
159. Electoral Commission turns on Liberals over donations scandal SMH 24 March 16
160. Baird says will stay as long as can SMH 24 March 16
161. NSW Liberals concealed illegal donors SMH 23 March 16
162. Sally Betts The Waverley mayor who rules Sydney’s east SMH 18 March 16
163. NSW Liberals down $4 million over donations cloud SMH 23 March 16
164. Merger impass will lead to court Wentworth Courier 23 March 16
165. Rally sends united merger message to Baird Mosman Daily 17 March 16
166. Manildra donations and meetings with Ministers including Roberts SMH 17 March 16
167. Let’s rezone Point Piper Bob Carr 14 March 16
168. Sunday’s Rally calls Baird a dictator TWT 16 March 16
169. Mass Protest Rally Packs Hyde Park TWT 16 March 16
170. Liberals divided as top Federal MPs oppose forced amalgamations TWT 16 March 16
171. Letters to the Editor – warning to Baird on divided house TWT 16 March 16
172. Hunters Hill Town Hall for sale or is it TWT 16 March 16
173. Alan Jones Opens Fire on Mike Baird Over Lock Out Laws and Council Amalgamations SMH March 11 2016
174. Woollahra’s legal bid could be first of many AltMedia 10 March 16
175. We shall not be merged GovtNews 8 March 16
176.  Councils fight Premier Baird’s plan SMH 9 March 16
177. Woollahra to take NSW Government to court SMH 7 March 16
178. Hyde Park Rally against Forced Council Mergers the Sunday – TWT March 9th 2016
179. Ryde Merger a Gerrymander TWT March 9th 2016
180. Calls for Referendums on Forced Mergers – TWT March 9 th 2016 
181. Hunters Hill Rally Slams Toole – “He Must Go” TWT March 2 2016
182. Huge Rate Rises for Mega-Ryde Council – TWT March 2 2016
183. Ryde Heritage at Risk  – TWT March 2 2016
184. Bombard Baird with Your Opinion – TWT Feb 2016
185. SHHMC Packed Town Hall in Hunters Hill over merger NDT 2 March 16
186. SHHMC Northern Beaches mega council back SMH 27 Feb 16
187. Community Groups call for Tools Head over Council Mergers – Gvt News Feb 25 2016
188. Act NOW to Save Heritage of Hunters Hill – TWT – Feb 17 2016
189. Council Amalgamation Process has Gone off the Rails – SMH Feb 8 2016
190. SHHMC Vast majority oppose forced mergers at Inquiry TWT 10 Feb 16
191. SHHMC Council amalgamations land grab Telegraph 6 Feb 16
192. Mystery Deepens over KPMG Council Merger report – SMH Feb 5th 2016
193. Liberal Party disconnect with voters SMH – 3 Feb 16
194. Baird’s Farce Continues TWT – 3 Feb 2016
195. Public Inquiries into mergers kick off GovtNews – 3 Feb 2016
196. Hundreds turn out at consultation sessions SMH – 2 Feb 2016
197. Outspoken merger critics at Hunters Hill Inquiry Meeting NDT – 2 Feb 2016
198. Amalgamation Public Meetings a farce ABC News – 2 Feb 2016
199. Government spends big on merger campaigns SMH – 1 Feb 16
200. Local council mergers threat to MPs Daily Telegraph – 25 Jan 2016
201. Government’s KPMG Report full of errors Prof Dollery – 26 Jan 2016
202. Office of Local Government has not seen KPMG Report – 25 Jan 2016
203. Professor Brian Dollery the real reason for amalgamations – 21 Jan2016
204. Council flyer Have Your Say – 21 Jan 2016
205. Baird stick rather than carrot re mergers SMH – 15 Jan 2016
206. Baird blasted by his own Liberals – 13 Jan 2016
207. SHHMC Baird appoints hit man –  13 Jan 2016
208. Govt’s greatest betrayal Ross Williams – 13 Jan 2016
209. We will continue to fight Mayor Quinn 13 Jan 2016