Prime Minister Julia Gillard has reiterated her promise of a dual referendum on constitutional recognition for Local Government and recognition of Indigenous Australians as the nation’s first people.
Addressing the Rotary Club of Adelaide in November, the Prime Minister said the Government is committed to putting the two propositions before voters.
“These two questions will go through different journeys but we want them both to go to the Australian people,” she said.
Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, Simon Crean, will take charge of plans to recognise Local Government.
The Federal Government has also provided the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) with $250,000 to raise the profile of constitutional recognition of Local Government, particularly in local communities, in the lead up to a referendum.
ALGA has established a sub committee to drive the process.
In November, former ALGA President Geoff Lake met with the Shadow Minister for Local Government, Senator Barnaby Joyce, who confirmed that constitutional recognition of Local Government was a firmly established National Party policy. He said he supports the drive for recognition in general and specifically for financial recognition, possibly with a change to Section 96 of the Constitution.
“Many government programs could be delivered better if politicians listened more to the local knowledge and expertise that resides in Local Government,” Senator Joyce said.
In terms of formally recognising Australia’s Indigenous peoples in the Constitution, Prime Minister Gillard said an expert panel will report by the end of 2011 on the wording and timing of a referendum.
The panel will include Indigenous and community leaders, constitutional experts, and parliamentary members.
“Constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians is an important step towards building a nation based on strong relationships and mutual respect,” Prime Minister Gillard said.
“Recognition will demonstrate that we are a country that is united in acknowledging the unique and special place of our first peoples.
“The Government is pursuing an ambitious agenda to close the gap in Indigenous disadvantage, including undertaking major reform and delivering unprecedented investment in early education, health, jobs, housing and services, and infrastructure.
“Formal recognition in our foundation document will build on this work by publicly acknowledging our history and the significant contribution that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples continue to make to this nation.”
To succeed, a referendum must attract the support of a majority vote nationally plus a majority of votes in a majority of states.
ALGA will lead the campaign for Local Government in 2011, but it has requested the State and Territory Associations make contact with their governments and oppositions to ascertain where they stand with regard to the recognition of Local Government in the Constitution.
