President's Invitation
Colleagues,
The absence of formal recognition of local government in the Australian Constitution is one of the most significant omissions in that document. The achievement of formal recognition remains one of the main objectives of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA). Having local government recognised in the Constitution has also been at the forfront of debate in successive National General Assemblies of Local Government.
The push to achieve constitutional recognition of local government has been given new impetus with the election, last November, of a Labor Federal Government. The Australian Labor Party went into the Election with a commitment to consult, during its first term, with local government on the process for achieving constitutional recognition.
We, as local government, need to take the lead and be in a position to steer this issue forward.
ALGA, in consultation with state and territory local government associations, is convening a Local Government Constitutional Summit – A Special National General Assembly at the end of this year to bring together councils to discuss and, if possible, agree on a position to put to the Federal Government.
Prior to that Summit, you will be consulted on your Council position through your State and Territory Association.
Recognition in the Australian Constitution is one of the most important challenges facing local government today. It is an issue that we need to manage properly if we are to maximise our chance of success.
I wish you well in your deliberations and I look forward to seeing you at the Constitutional Summit in Melbourne in December 2008.
Paul Bell, AM
President
Australian Local Government Association
