Referendum - Local Government

The federal government is talking about a referendum to amend the Australian constitution to recognise 'local government'.

But local government is really an administrative body under the control of state governments.

This isn't the first time a government has tried to do this.

Labor governments in 1974 (led by Gough Whitlam) and in 1988 (led by Bob Hawke) also held referendums on this question.

What is really happening?

It's really about the federal government claiming MORE POWER.

Read Dr David Mitchell's insightful paper on the issue - he is a barrister and an expert in constitutional law.