The Gillard GreenLabor Govt is putting up this referendum question re recognising local councils in the constitution – at the same time as the Federal election. Ostensibly because some High Court decision might, note might make it difficult for the Federal Govt to give money to councils. Wow – I am sleepless at night over that.
I notice over at Catallaxy – Another poison pill for Australian federalism, and how to avoid it – marvellous take from Dr Julie Novak
I will be voting NO.
My simple reasons are –
[1] The current system has worked for 110 years – I see no need for change – just not an issue.
[2] The Gillard GreenLabor Govt is arguably the worst Federal Govt in our history – so why trust anything they propose.
[3] They would not be proposing this if it was not beneficial to Labor constituencies in some way – we are suffering five to six years of that – safer to just vote NO.
Musli Kaunch Shakti capsules have already attained the mark of andropause, is no longer a natural process, but can be brought about in the future, as well as the side. That being said, online purchases of the medication does involve certain risks. Diabetes mellitus also causes erectile dysfunction by blocking an enzyme known as phosphodiesterase-PDE5, which promotes shorter and softer erections. Get your cheap Kamagra without a prescription and at lowest price than market. [4] I am wary of unintended consequences – the instant this becomes law there will be silver-tongued lawyers all over it, not to mention the High Court and nobody knows what new nonsense will start affecting our lives.
[5] Personally I would prefer it if councils cut back on their ever expanding empire building and wasting of our money and were confined more to just fixing roads, collecting rubbish, working hard to reduce rates.
[6] I am not impressed that the coalition are supporting a yes vote, there is a lot wrong with their policies too.
[7] The only important issue at the next Federal election is voting GreenLabor OUT of power.
Looking forward to readers having their say.
I will be voting ‘NO’ for the reason that it is being proposed by politicians and in particular, Labour politicians. The present system is working and has worked for over a Century. Why change what is not broken?
Second Warwick and Nicholas’ thoughts.
Looks to me like the ALP wants free rein to buy votes in marginal/Labor constituencies, bypassing the states.
NO vote from me also.
This is overwhelmingly accurate, except the consequences are NOT unintended – a YES vote will see greenie nonsense inexorably intrude more and more deeply into private, domestic homes. Differential rates according to how the greenies rate individual wealth etc (eg. 2 cars means 2x common rate)
I have in-laws in Dublin, visited them last September. Their weekly domestic garbage requires separation into nine (9) different bins, courtesy of Brussels
The Supermarket in this town has been hoping to move to a better site for over 10 years. Better meaning more store space, off street parking (none at moment) for 110-130 cars, and better accessibility for traffic arriving and departing.
Why over 10 years, the local (Adelaide Hills) council. The Council now wants some of the land (free) to widen a corner. Yet it was offered the whole of the land as a purchase before any talk of development. It just couldn’t make up its mind (if that is the right noun).
And don’t let me start on their tree policy. Only John Cleese could do it justice.
Yes, Warwick, I will be voting NO, and telling everybody I can to do the same.
This ridiculous proposal has a snowball’s chance in hell of succeeding. It will be even less popular than the leftoid republic. Vote No!
I just caught this news out of Canberra; Skywhale price tag could hit $300k
which says so much that is wrong-headed about elitist GreenLabor Governments. I hear the cost will be near $350,000 and then you do not own it. That is a $ robbed from every Canberra resident from babies and older.
Here is a pic –
Tim Blair says what has to be said –
For anybody close to Canberra – the thing will be flying in vicinity of National Gallery from 9am I hear.
I will be voting no for the same reason as Ian18888. Skywhale should have been launched on April 1.
No, no no no no no NO
Ianl8888’s example is instructive. All over the world there is a trend to centralization, and the EU is leading the pack.
The results are predictable, and always the same. The local level loses power and becomes the tool of the central level. Decisions taken centrally must be applied no matter how inappropriate or uneconomic they may be in a given area. Local spending becomes detached from local revenue. Local governments compete against one another for central funds. New armies of rent-seekers and proposal-pushers spring up.
Not that it’s perfect in Australia now. State governments already lay down the law to local councils, and are already under the thumb of the Feds themselves. But this will only make it worse. And as usual the takeover is presented as a means of “protecting” and “valorizing” the intended victim.
WSH I agree on 10th May I put this at jennifermarohasy.com/2013/05/undemocratic-politics-again-determines-land-use-in-tasmania-alan-ashbarry/#comments
“Debbie, What is needed is a referendum proposals to put into the constitution that only laws passed by the Australian Parliament can be recognised. The USA does not recognise treaties or laws such as the UN human rights treaty or the Kyoto (CO2 reduction) Agreement in their constitution.
Better still would be citizen initiated referenda (CIR) such as in the world’s most democratic country -Switzerland.
Another proposal which could be the subject of one of the first CIR could be an elected representative or official (eg Governor General) Recall, as in some states of USA. I am sure the electors of Lynne would have liked to vote on a Recall of Oakshott after he decided to go against their wishes and support Gillard. The same goes for the electors on the Sunshine Coast with the turncoat Slipper.
By the way, if one believes in democracy and in reduction of centralised socialism then get onto your member of parliament to scrub the idea of the Federal Government dealing directly with local government. This is a responsibility of the States. I will be voting “no” if it ever gets up.
Do you know in Switzerland the states collect taxes and only allocate money to the Federal government for Foreign Affairs, defense and few other issues set out in their constitution. Policing is done at a community level and no one can be a citizen or even a resident unless they have full approval of the local community where they intend to reside.”
Gee it only seems a way to make “pork-barrelling” more site specific (& by closer targeting – cheaper)