Submitted by Steve Irons on Wed, 24/07/2013 - 12:55pm
Steve Irons writes in Independent Australia :
Could be a flop ...
"The local government referendum has all but disappeared from view since Kevin Rudd became prime minister again; Steve Irons talks about the change to government we should all support and why.
"WHERE HAS THE local government referendum gone?
"It was promoted as an important change to the Constitution of Australia, one that the government of the day could not live without.
"It was passed parliament with strong bipartisan support for a referendum in conjunction with a 14 September (election).
"Since then, we have seen a useful a few Frequently Asked Questions answered by the ever diligent UNSW Centre of Public Law, some useful articles by Michelle Grattan at The Conversation and very little else.
"We know from history that you can’t win a referendum in this country in this manner."
READ MORE: http://www.independentaustralia.net/2013/politics/local-government-refer...
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Steve Irons
Thu, 25/07/2013 - 5:43pm
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Statement by Local Govt Minister
Referendum comment leaves door open for early election
By James Glenday ABC Fri Jul 19, 2013 9:57am AEST
"It's a referendum many Australians haven't heard about, let alone understand.
"But it's also provided the latest sign PM Kevin Rudd is looking to head to an election soon.
"'I think we've gone too far down the track [to postpone the referendum],' said Local Government Minister Catherine King.
"'We want to go ahead with it. The only uncertainty is exactly when the referendum will be held.'"
[...]
"'If we did do it separately to a federal election it's obviously going to be a much more expensive proposition,' Ms King said.
"'But my view is that we should still go ahead with it.'
"It is the first time someone from the Government has raised the prospect of holding the referendum on its own and is another sign Labor is clearing the decks.
"The Australian Electoral Commission has been given an extra $41 million to hold the referendum; it estimates it would cost in excess of $120 million to hold the vote separately."
READ MORE: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-18/local-government-referendum-off-th...
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