Launch of new local government constitutional reform website
16 June 2010
The President of the Australian Local Government Association, Cr Geoff Lake, today launched a new website and resource material as part of local government's campaign for a referendum on the inclusion of local government in the Australian Constitution.
The report was lunched this morning during the second day of the National General Assembly of Local Government in Canberra in front of more than 700 mayors and councillors from across Australia.
Cr Lake said, "Local government is one of the three levels of government in this nation and is an integral part of the Australian federation. It's time our Constitution was modernised to reflect that reality.
"At a more practical level, all sides of politics and all levels of government have supported the importance of the Australian Government being able to fund local government directly. However, the constitutional power of the Government to do this has been in serious doubt since last year's Pape decision in the High Court. Changing the Constitution is the only practical way to get over this problem."
"As a nation we need a Constitution for the 21st century which acts to enable, not disable, effective collaboration between the three levels of government. The change we seek to the Constitution is all about improving the way that the three levels of government work together with the aim of delivering more efficient services to the community."
Today's launch follows an announcement yesterday by Local Government Minister, Anthony Albanese, of $250,000 from the Australian Government to fund further educational materials to support local government's constitutional campaign.
The new website is at www.councilreferendum.com.au.
- Media contacts:
- ALGA President, Cr Geoff Lake: 0411 645 281
- Amanda Lynch, ALGA Director Public Affairs, 0419 123 862
