Electoral Commission junks National Tally Room

By Julian Bajkowski If you ever wanted a sign that the digitised economy is fast consuming most things that stand in its path, spare a thought for set-builders of Australian democracy who once laboured to create the National Tally Room (NTR) in Canberra. The Australian Electoral Commission has just announced that its iconic temporary structure […]

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” […]

QLD Premier breaks ranks over referendum

By Julian Bajkowski Queensland Premier Campbell Newman has thrown down the gauntlet to other Australian state and territory leaders to back the ‘yes’ case in a proposed referendum on financial recognition of local governments or risk losing billions of dollars of direct Commonwealth funding for council projects and services. In a dramatic escalation of pressure […]

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 […]

Fed committee gives green light to referendum

By Julian Bajkowski The parliamentary committee tasked with evaluating the merits of holding a referendum on amending the Constitution to give financial recognition to local government has recommended that a poll be held at the forthcoming federal election this year. Published today, the ‘yes’ recommendation from the Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition of Local […]

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