South-Eastern Metropolitan Region
David LIMBRICK (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:58): (1373) My question is for the Minister for Local Government. There is significant concern amongst residents of Casey council at the moment regarding both the content and the enforcement of their local laws. Despite reassurances that enforcement would be appropriate and proportionate, last week a Casey resident heard noises down the back of their property and discovered the council had sent people to seize three of their unregistered vehicles. There was no notice provided and no paperwork was given to the residents. Residents are rightly wondering: if people acting on behalf of a local authority can come onto your land and seize your private property without prior notice, warrant or receipt, what does ‘private property’ even mean? My question for the minister is: what powers under the local government act or other legislation empower councils to take this kind of action?