'Yes' campaign builds among grassroots

http://alga.asn.au/newsletter/newsletters_.alganews12july2013#Article10447 

As Australians wait for a firm election date, the local government sector is moving ahead with its national campaign to convince voters to say 'yes' when they are asked whether local government should be included in the Constitution at a referendum to be held in conjunction with this year's federal election. The Australian Government has given every indication that the referendum will proceed and this week it again reinforced its absolute commitment to holding a referendum on recognising local government in the Constitution at the coming federal election. Minister for Local Government, Catherine King told national media this week that a referendum is incredibly important for local government but "more importantly, for the hundreds and hundreds of local communities that they represent across the country". "It does mean that if we get constitutional recognition for the third tier of government, local government, that federal government funding can continue to flow for important programs like Roads to Recovery, which have been critical for regional communities across this country," Minister King said. Minister King also reinforced that there is widespread support for the referendum to go ahead. "I think there's overwhelming support both within the Parliament but from local government themselves," Minister King said. "You have to look at the numbers in Parliament.  There are only two members of Parliament who voted for the 'no' case.  Overwhelmingly, the Parliament has supported this referendum. "The Government is determined, the Parliament has determined, that there will be a referendum for local governments' full constitutional recognition. "I think we've determined that the referendum will go ahead, and that's obviously in terms of the commitments that we've made as a Parliament to the Australian Local Government Association." Advice from ALGA   www.alga.asn.au