Researcher Scott Bennett said that while the process to amend the Constitution is easy to understand, the general community holds very little knowledge on it.
“With only eight of 44 proposals to amend the Constitution ratified, it is clearly difficult to gain success,” he said.
“Local Government should beware of three points when planning its campaign.
“Firstly, political hurdles; secondly, not trying to achieve more than is politically possible; and thirdly, political contamination.
“You only need to fail one of these aspects for the entire proposal to fail.”
With regard to political hurdles, Scott Bennett said Local Government must persuade the Federal Government that its cause is worthy and that it can stay the course without losing confidence.
“The Rudd Government is currently sympathetic to the case, but you must ensure this remains,” he said.
“Persistence is necessary to show the Government that it won’t lose face by supporting the proposal.”
Scott Bennett urged delegates to consider the influence of all opposition, not just the major parties.
“Having the Greens, Family First and other parties on side is just as important to ensure the proposal’s passage through Parliament is quick and uncontroversial,” he said.
“In promoting the proposal itself, keep to the facts.
“Your comments can easily be manipulated by the other side, so make sure all documents distributed to voters are clear and can not be misconstrued.
“You also need to work closely with voters to ensure they understand the proposal. If they are confused, they will go with what has worked in the past.
“Talk to your communities and explain why the proposal is important. Do not assume the merit of it is obvious.”
The last issue Scott Bennett outlined was contamination of proposal.
“With talk of the Government putting up at least one other issue at the 2010 election, Local Government must be wary, as less popular issues can contaminate the bigger issue,” he said.
“If the Opposition opposes one issue, it is easier for them to say vote ‘no’ on all proposals put forward.
“You need to get voters to see your issue as the one that is necessary and safe.”
Scott Bennett said in heading forward, Local Government must get the timing right, and build its case carefully and intelligently.”
With this in mind, he left delegates with the questions of whether 2010 was too soon.
