Tributes flow for Malcolm Fraser

Passing of champion of multiculturalism and human rights mourned.

23 March, 2015

Pickard wins Australian Local Government Association presidency

First WA chief for 30 years expected to take fight up to Canberra.

13 November, 2014

Opinion: Nick Minchin on why to Vote No

Opinion: Nick Minchin For the third time in less than 40 years, the Federal Government is trying to persuade the Australian people that they should approve an amendment to the Australian Constitution relating to local government. The ALP, having failed in 1974 and 1988 to change the Constitution, is trying again at the 14 September […]

18 June, 2013

Fragile referendum support holds amid more barbs

By Julian Bajkowski Independent power broker Tony Windsor has expressed confidence that a referendum on financial recognition of local government in the Australian Constitution on 14th September can succeed, despite Prime Minister Julia Gillard announcing vote without a form of words for the question. Mr Windsor told Government News that a ‘yes’ vote was “achievable” […]

9 May, 2013

Referendum committee goes another round

By Julian Bajkowski The parliamentary committee tasked with deciding whether a referendum on financial recognition of local government in the Australian Constitution should go ahead will hold a rapid second public hearing on February 20th as opposing sides of politics battle to a September plebiscite alive. A notice from the Joint Select Committee on Constitutional […]

4 February, 2013

Feedback flies into constitutional committee

By Julian Bajkowski and Paul Hemsley Local governments keen to persuade a parliamentary committee of the merits of holding a referendum on Constitutional recognition of local government alongside the 2013 federal election have set at a cracking pace, with more than 33 documents lodged as the deadline for submissions looms. The slew of input comes […]

11 December, 2012

Barnaby backs ALGA referendum push

By Julian Bajkowski The Australian Local Government Association’s (ALGA) push to secure constitutional recognition has cleared an important political hurdle after the House of Representatives carried a motion last night to establish a 12 member Joint Select Committee to look into the proposal that would need to be put to a referendum. The bipartisan support […]

1 November, 2012

ALGA intensifies push for recognition in Constitution

By Julian Bajkowski and Paul Hemsley The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has increased pressure the federal government to have local governments officially recognised in the Constitution after Prime Minister Julia Gillard postponed another looming referendum that would have acknowledged indigenous Australians. ALGA President, Felicity-ann Lewis has called on Canberra to establish a parliamentary committee […]

20 September, 2012

ALGA selects its next president

Felicity-Ann Lewis, Mayor of the City of Marion in Adelaide, South Australia, will replace Genia McCaffery as the head of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) according to an announcement released by the peak body. ALGA said that that Ms Lewis will fill the role of president until a formal vote is held at its […]

10 September, 2012