Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has called an election for September 7, stalling the referendum on constitutional recognition of local government.
Under the legislation enabling the referendum, the September 14 election date named by Julia Gillard was the earliest possible date for Australians to vote on the constitutional amendment.
Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) President Felicity-ann Lewis said the ALGA were extremely disappointed that Prime Minister Rudd had selected an election date which meant the referendum could not be held.
“With 95 percent of Federal MPs and senators voting in favour of this referendum, and the overwhelming majority of mayors also in support, there will be a lot of disappointment across Australia at this decision.
Local Government Association of Queensland President Margaret de Wit said Queensland councils were ‘angry and disappointed’ that Mr Rudd had chosen not to proceed with the referendum.
“Opinion polls showed that Queenslanders were ready to support this referendum in big numbers, so they are also entitled to feel disappointed by this act of political expediency.”
Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) President Bill McArthur said the MAV was disappointed that the referendum would not go ahead after so much work had been put into the Yes campaign.
“In an effort to ensure that federal funding continues to be available for important local projects, we are urging both political parties to commit to holding a referendum to ensure future direct funding is not lost.”
Victorian Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell said the referendum had been handled poorly by the Federal Government, and it was appropriate that it had been abandoned.
“Huge sums of money have already been wasted on this unnecessary referendum including an expensive advertising campaign.
“I call on the Local Government Association to refund approximately $1 million of ratepayer money collected from Victorian councils towards the referendum marketing campaign.”
ALGA President Felicity-ann Lewis said that while the ALGA’s preference was for the referendum to be held alongside the election, they would not be giving up the campaign for local government to be recognised in the Constitution.
“Much campaign planning and implementation has already begun in every community in preparation for the referendum and we hope that this will not be wasted.
“We look forward to picking up where we left off when a new referendum date is announced and hope to build on the momentum this campaign has already gained among the public.”
