By Charlene Gatt
MARIBYRNONG City Council has formed an advisory committee to push for local government recognition in the Australian Constitution.
The committee, which will be chaired by Wattle Ward councillor Michael Clarke, will meet twice next month to form a position on the issue ahead of the Australian Local Government Association’s (ALGA) Constitutional Recognition for Local Government summit.
The committee is open to all residents, community organisations, advocacy groups and local state and federal MPs.
The Constitution, which primarily outlines the procedures and powers allocated to the State and Federal Governments, makes no mention of local government.
It is considered to be federation’s most important legal document.
Cr Clarke called the omission an “absolute travesty”.
“We go to our local supermarket, we walk down the local streets, we go and have a drink at the local hotel, and the community wants to engage with us – that is what local government is about,” he said.
“We were around as a governing body well before federation took place.”
Local government will celebrate its 150th anniversary next year.
The ALGA has asked councils to consider its stance on local government recognition, funding between federal and local governments, and protection of the local government system prior to the summit.
The wording of the Constitution can only be changed if a legislative bill is passed in both houses of the Federal Government, and then voted upon in a referendum.
The ALGA hopes to hold a referendum in 2010.
The summit is part of an ALP election promise to consult with local councils on achieving constitutional recognition.
It will be held at Melbourne Convention Centre from 9 to 11 December.
