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Shades of Brexit as Marion votes to secede

In a local drama bizarrely echoing Britain’s split from the European Union, the state’s Local Government Association has vowed to cut off all services to Marion Council “as soon as practicable” after it last night voted to quit the organisation.

Jun 29, 2016, updated Jun 29, 2016
Marion Mayor and former state MP Kris Hanna.

Marion Mayor and former state MP Kris Hanna.

It was a casting vote from mayor Kris Hanna that carried the secession, with the onetime state Labor turned Greens turned independent MP arguing the $93,000 annual membership fee did not represent value for money.

However, the move could have spillover effects for ratepayers across Adelaide, with LGA chief Matt Pinnegar warning in a statement: “Unfortunately the consequences will be felt across the whole sector as we simply will not be able to maintain the same level of services we had budgeted for.”

“The LGA Board will ultimately make decisions on which services to cut or reduce,” he said.

“The elected members of the City of Marion are fully cognisant of what they have voted for and the consequences of this decision… we cannot afford to provide services to councils that are not paying membership fees.”

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