Opponents of Gundagai’s forced council merger with Cootamundra have taken their fight to Buckingham Palace.
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Six Gundagai residents aged 90 and older have urged the Queen of Australia to reverse the state government’s amalgamation campaign.
The impassioned plea from “humble servants” of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II implores her to restore democracy to Gundagai, after the government deposed elected councillors and installed a political appointment.
“On September 4, 1838, George Gipps, Governor of New South Wales, acting in the name of your great, great grandmother, Queen Victoria, signed the gazettal of the town of Gundagai,” the petition reads.
“In the 177 years since, the Gundagai town, district and community has prospered.
“This has happened for many reasons, but importantly because there has been a democratically elected council that unites and leads the community.”
The Gundagai stalwarts, including an Order of Australia Medalist, tear strips off the government’s treatment of Gundagai residents.
“The government’s attitude to the Gundagai community has been one of rudeness, lies and bullying, passing down the line through to the undemocratic ally appointed administration,” the letter said.
“It has had a serious impact on the morale and identity of Gundagai and its people.”
Wagga Charles Sturt University politics lecturer Troy Whitford said the Queen will get the letter if it’s mailed correctly, but “it won’t make an ounce of difference”.
“With all due respect, they'd be better off lobbying the NSW premier (Gladys Berejiklian) than the Queen,” Dr Whitford said.
“Since federation, we’ve had our own sovereign government and there’s very little the Queen can do from legal or political point of view.
“Once upon a time you could appeal to British Privy Council, but we don't do that much any more, it mostly goes to the High Court.”
The local academic said state governments could “do whatever they want to councils”, because local government is not recognised in Australia’s constitution.
Gundagai representatives – including deposed mayor Abb McAlister – met with local government minister Gabrielle Upton and Cootamundra MP Katrina Hodgkinson in Sydney last month and are waiting on a meeting with the premier.
