Member for Barker Tony Pasin has labelled the State Government’s decision to run a plebiscite about local council amalgamations as a “ham fisted” attempt.

Mr Pasin has criticised Premier Peter Malinauskas for a lack of consultation before announcing plans to canvas ratepayers about an amalgamation between Mount Gambier City and Grant District councils.

The Premier announced a plebiscite on the issue would be run in conjunction with Local Government elections, however neither council was consulted beforehand and were heading into caretaker mode as the news broke.

“The State Government has decided holding a plebiscite to determine the level of community support for an amalgamation, before an inquiry, is a prudent first step,” he said.

“This will be an opportunity for the people of the South East to have their say about the future of their community.

“In my numerous visits to the Limestone Coast as Labor Leader, including the recent Country Cabinet, this issue was repeatedly raised. I said I’d listen and respond and this is evidence of that.

“But ultimately, this question will be in the hands of the people of the South East and holding this plebiscite at the same time as local government elections will minimise the cost and maximise participation.”

However, Mr Pasin said local ratepayers were “sick and tired of being treated like guinea pigs by people living in Adelaide”.

Mr Pasin said the lack of consultation was “disrespectful”.

“Almost 20 years ago I proposed that we undertake a community consultation vote of people in Grant District Council and the City of Mount Gambier,” he said.

“That ham fisted attempt set the cause of local government reform in the South East back and this is a similarly ham fisted attempt which is destined to fail.”

Mr Pasin said, while he was a strong proponent of smaller government, he did think there was “merit in the proposal to merge the two councils”, but strongly disagreed with the way in which the State Government was going about it.

“This is a thought bubble from the Premier, announced in the Adelaide media without a word of warning given to the local community, then the relevant legislation hastily pushed through State Parliament while the Premier himself was not even there to speak to the Bill – he decided a party in Canberra was more important,” he said.

“The whole process has been disrespectfully managed and that’s a shame because with proper process and consultation it could have been a very successful outcome for the South East and paved the way for further state-wide reform.”

Grant District Council chief executive Darryl Whicker said his council was not consulted before details of the plebiscite were announced.

“The plebiscite to determine the level of community support for a possible amalgamation between Grant District Council and City of Mount Gambier is an entirely State Government proposal. Council was not consulted by the State Government before the announcement regarding the plebiscite was made public, via the media … however, we will work constructively to ensure the best possible process occurs,” he said.

“Council’s priority is to support fair and equal representation on the matter to ensure the voices of our community are heard and their best interests remain at the forefront of our purpose and decision-making.

“We encourage all eligible residents and businesses to have their say, including on the merger proposal and return their ballot packs to the Electoral Commission of SA.”

The State Opposition has accused the government of “blindsiding two regional mayors and communities in the process”.

Manager of Opposition Business John Gardner slammed the Premier, accusing him of “rushing legislation through the parliament without proper consultation”.

“Peter Malinauskas has not explained where this idea came from and why there was no consultation and now he has denied members of parliament the opportunity to consult with residents and stakeholders on this Bill,” he said.

“He did not even bother to tell the mayors of both councils in the South East he wants them to merge. It’s a reckless blindside.”