The states are resisting this because local government has always been a state responsibility and it makes sense. (Nick Economou)
Monash University lecturer and author Dr Nicholas Economou has warned against changing the Australian constitution as proposed by federal Labor’s local government referendum.
The referendum, due to be held in conjunction with the federal election, will ask voters whether or not they agree to the financial recognition of local government in the constitution, amending section 96, which deals with financial assistance to the states.
Victoria’s Coalition Minister for Local Government, Jeanette Powell, picked up on Economou’s comments published in the Herald Sun and regional Victorian press this week, to challenge what she described as “federal Labor’s myth that the referendum represents only a harmless minor amendment”.
Dr Economou described the referendum as “another one of those Whitlam ideas that the current Labor government has resurrected”.
The Monash professor added that he did not accept the arguments being put forward that the referendum involved just minor tinkering.
“The proponents of the ‘yes’ argument say it’s making a minor alteration to the constitution, but the fact is, if something gets mentioned in the constitution it opens up a head of power to the federal government,” said Dr Economou.
“The states are resisting this because local government has always been a state responsibility and it makes sense.”
Mrs Powell said such comments “from an experienced political scientist… support the Victorian Coalition Government’s concerns that the referendum will cause legal uncertainty and could impact on the states’ authority over councils.”
The minister has called on the federal government to abandon the referendum question, which she said would cost Australian taxpayers $55 million.
Meanwhile Victorian regional councils have warned that they may miss out on crucial federal funding if electors do not vote ‘yes’ in the referendum, if it goes ahead.
Moorabool, Golden Plains and Hepburn Shire Councils have all urged residents to support the recognition of local government in the constitution.
Moorabool Shire Council mayor Pat Toohey told reporters that the referendum raised serious funding issues for local communities.
“It’s about the recognition of local government… whereby the federal government can legally directly fund local government for needed road and community infrastructure,” Cr Toohey said.
“The community has got to look past the political spin.”
The Australian Local Government Association believes changes to the constitution, if a ‘yes’ vote won the referendum, would secure direct funding from the federal government.
Maroondah Council has contributed more than $31,000 to a national campaign by the association to convince people to vote yes.
Dr Economou said Australian history shows Australians would be unlikely to vote yes in the referendum.
“The pattern of referendums [in Australia] is, if a question goes up, which includes a significant amount of power going to Canberra, it always gets ‘no’,” he said.
