After losing in court, the NSW Liberals are refusing to pay legal fees ordered by the Court of Appeal, despite claiming that they can afford $2.2 billion to rebuild stadiums in Sydney.

In July 2017 the NSW Court of Appeal ordered the Berejiklian Government to reimburse the legal expenses of Lane Cove and Hunters Hill Councils. The Government had lost their case trying to impose forced council mergers on these local government areas.

But the State Government has still not paid up, forcing the local communities to bear the burden and face the prospect of cutting local council services to cover the expenses.

Lane Cove Council is owed over $380,000, while Hunters Hill Council is owed over $430,000.

The NSW Liberal Member for Lane Cove, Planning Minister Anthony Roberts, has refused to help get the Berejiklian Government to obey the court order.

Quotes attributable to Shadow Minister for Local Government Peter Primrose MLC

“The Liberals are already cost shifting over $820 million on to local councils every year, and now they are refusing to even pay their legal bills when directed by a court.

The fact that a senior minister like Anthony Roberts is arrogantly going along with this is really disturbing. This government refuses to listen anyone, even the courts.

This is another example of the NSW Liberals treating local communities with contempt.”

Quotes attributable to NSW Labor Candidate for Lane Cove Andrew Zbik:

“We knew from the start the Liberals obsession to force the amalgamation of local Councils was to serve their developer mates. Dragging out this payment to Councils show contempt for the residents of the Lane Cove Electorate.

‘All of the Councils in the Lane Cove electorate can use these funds to improve our parks, local community services and invest infrastructure renewal.

‘Anthony Roberts is a senior minister in the NSW Liberal State Govt. He can make this happen.”