Hi, On 19/02/2013 9:38 AM, Petros wrote:
From: "Rohan McLeod"
Well referendums are usually to change the constitution; so I am interpreting "governmental recognition" as 'constitutional recognition'.
Yes, a dangerous change that can only take place by way of a successful referendum motion.
Whether constitutional recognition of local government would necessarily increase their power, would seem to depend on the proposed change.
They operate today under falsely [illegally] against the current constitution. What is proposed will in some ways legitimize their illegal actions. One of the problems with local councils is that they are government sponsored corporations. For starters, the way the local councils impose fines is illegal, the way they calculate rates is illegal too -- the latter they are relying on an Act of the Victorian government which is invalid. Victoria has it's own outdated constitution which hasn't been updated as required [1].
The local governments seem to work in a grey area now, as far as I understand it.
Absolutely, but a change to the constitution by way of a referendum is likely to simply rubber stamp these and other grey areas and cause us much more to be concerned about -- a real loss of rights for us and a real increase of actual power for the local council corporations.
Well, we already sell the position of the City of Melbourne Mayor to some Chinese property businesses. Welcome to the Chinese Democrazy! It works on the similar base over there, governments and business side by side for the great mutual benefit of the biggest and the best.
I don't disagree that is what corporations do and I don't want any possibility to "legalize" or "legitimize" this situation.
A constitutional amendment to recognise the role of local governments could be good if it cuts back some of these irregularities.
It won't, but it will cause significant damage to our rights under the Australian Constitution instead. Unfortunately, ANY change to the constitution will put the whole constitution at risk. This is not just an issue over local governance, it is much more encompassing ... the recognition of Aboriginals for instance, is another area of reform that is not necessary; Aboriginals, like any other Australian person are already protected by out constitution (as are "illegal" immigrants that enter our shores by whatever means). I cannot stress enough, that ANY change to the constitution will be a serious risk to our rights and has the potential to make our entire constitution absolutely worthless. It is simply not worth the risk, no matter what is proposed -- and that is irregardless of whether or not you agree with the any assertions that have been made above or at the following link. [1] http://www.religiousword.com/2012/04/the-1975-victorian-constitution-is-inva... -- Kind Regards AndrewM