Federal Labor has promised to consult with Councils over Constitutional recognition of Local Government within the first term of a Rudd Government. Speaking at the Queensland Local Government Association annual conference in August, Shadow Minister for Local Government, Senator Kate Lundy, said Constitutional recognition is important to secure the future of Councils.
“We believe that it will offer them not only some protection in changes to the structure of Local Government in the future, but it will also allow us to invite Local Government into the room for policy development, formulating of policy, and delivery of policy,” she said. “Effectively, Local Government will have equal status.”
President of the Australian Local Government Association, Councillor Paul Bell, said Constitutional recognition is a
long cherished goal for Local Government.
“What we have learned from the recent forced amalgamations in Queensland is that Local Government will never be treated fairly until it is written into the Constitution,” he said.
Councillor Bell said that unless Local Government was able to sit at the table as a fully equal partner with the States, the wishes of local communities would continue to be overridden.
“It is anachronistic that in this day and age, we have a significant sphere of government without formal recognition in the Constitution,” he said. “A sphere of government, which for over 150 years has been delivering an increasingly broad range of infrastructure, including roads and economic and community services, employs more than 165,000 Australians and spends around $18 billion each year.
“Constitutional recognition is now in the public arena and this is the best opportunity we have had for some time to seize the initiative and chart the way forward.
“The Labor Party has now come out with a timetable. If it wins Government, Federal Labor will consult with Local, State and Territory Governments on the process for achieving Constitutional recognition. These discussions will include holding a Constitutional convention and the timing of a referendum.”
Councillor Bell said it is exciting that this debate is in the public arena, but there is a lot of work to do.
“After two unsuccessful referendums on this issue in 1975 and 1988, we have to get it right,” he said. “We must get bipartisan support from both major parties and convince the Australian people to tick ‘yes’ at the ballot box.
“Some Councils are passing motions supporting Constitutional recognition, which they are drawing to the attention of their local MPs and Senators. This will assist us to keep the momentum going and to show the extent of grassroots support for reform.
“There has never been a better time to be heard and I thank you for all the encouragement and support I have received on this issue.”
Federal Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads, Jim Lloyd, has also flagged his willingness to look seriously at Constitutional recognition for Local Government.
Also speaking at the LGAQ Annual Conference, he said that in light of recent events in Queensland, he was willing to enter into a serious dialogue with Local Government to address the issues surrounding the purpose, form and timing of Constitutional recognition.
