In September, Federal Parliament passed legislation to override Queensland laws on Council referendums, ensuring residents can have their say on proposed amalgamations.
Passage of the legislation clears the way for the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) to run the plebiscites on behalf of the 83 Councils that officially indicated their desire to go ahead.
The legislation was passed following a report from the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Public Administration, recommending the Bill be passed.
The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) and many Councils made submissions supporting the legislation to the Committee and appeared at its public hearings. However, passage of the legislation, which was supported by all political parties, was not without contention. Amendments sought by the Democrats and Greens to allow for plebiscites on a range of issues including nuclear power stations, major infrastructure projects such as dams and pulp mills, the current intervention on Indigenous issues in the Northern Territory and ratification of the Kyoto Convention were defeated.
A Labor amendment calling for the Senate to express support for a referendum for constitutional recognition of Local Government, and also noting Labor’s support for local communities to express a view on the location of nuclear power stations, was also defeated.
LGAQ President, Councillor Paul Bell, said the association is delighted that its long fight to achieve electoral justice for Queenslanders, who were disenfranchised by the Beattie State Government, is close to bearing fruit.
“I especially thank the Prime Minister and Federal Government for their assistance and support in achieving this result,” he said. “Democracy is
worth fighting for.”
At the time of publication, the AEC was yet to set a date for the plebiscites.
