The Constitution Alteration (Local Government) Bill 1988,[1] was an unsuccessful proposal to alter the Australian Constitution to recognise local government. It was put to voters for approval in a referendum held on 3 September 1988. The structure of the Constitution recognises government at federal and state levels, but makes no mention of local government.
1988 Australian Local Government referendum
3 September 1988 (1988-09-03)
A Proposed Law: To alter the Constitution to recognise local government.
Do you approve of this proposed alteration?
Results
Choice
Votes
%
Yes
3,163,488
33.61%
No
6,248,166
66.39%
Valid votes
9,411,654
98.68%
Invalid or blank votes
126,071
1.32%
Total votes
9,537,725
100.00%
Registered voters/turnout
10,362,959
92.04%
The "no" campaign in 1988 argued that this change would undermine states' rights, i.e. that it would move – or make it possible to move – some power from state governments to local governments.
A Proposed Law: To alter the Constitution to recognise local government.
Do you approve this proposed alteration? The proposal was to add a new provision to the Constitution as follows :[2]
119A. Each State shall provide for the establishment and continuance of a system of local government, with local government bodies elected in accordance with the laws of the State and empowered to administer, and to make by-laws for, their respective areas in accordance with the laws of the State.
Obtained a majority in no state and an overall minority of 2,335,741 votes.Not carried
Discussionedit
This was the second unsuccessful referendum on the subject of Local Government. The 1974 referendum on Local Government Bodies sought to allow the Commonwealth to grant financial assistance to local government bodies, and to borrow money on their behalf.[3]
^Constitution Alteration (Local Government) Bill 1988 (Cth)
^"Notification of particulars of writs for referendums". Commonwealth of Australia Gazette Special. No. S212. 25 July 1988. p. 3. Retrieved 15 November 2019 – via Trove.
^"Result of referendum with respect to Local Government". Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. No. S324. 27 October 1988. p. 3. Retrieved 23 October 2021 – via Trove.
^ abFollowing the 1977 referendum, votes cast in the territories count towards the national total, but are not counted toward any state total.
Further readingedit
Select sources on constitutional change in Australia 1901-1997. Part 2 - History of Australian Referendums(PDF). Commonwealth of Australia. 24 March 1997. ISBN0644484101.
Bennett, Scott (2003). "Research Paper no. 11 2002–03: The Politics of Constitutional Amendment". Canberra: Parliamentary Library of Australia.
Australian Electoral Commission (2007) Referendum Dates and Results 1906 – Present AEC, Canberra.
January 01, 1970
1988, australian, referendum, local, government, constitution, alteration, local, government, bill, 1988, unsuccessful, proposal, alter, australian, constitution, recognise, local, government, voters, approval, referendum, held, september, 1988, structure, con. The Constitution Alteration Local Government Bill 1988 1 was an unsuccessful proposal to alter the Australian Constitution to recognise local government It was put to voters for approval in a referendum held on 3 September 1988 The structure of the Constitution recognises government at federal and state levels but makes no mention of local government 1988 Australian Local Government referendum3 September 1988 1988 09 03 A Proposed Law To alter the Constitution to recognise local government Do you approve of this proposed alteration ResultsChoice Votes Yes 3 163 488 33 61 No 6 248 166 66 39 Valid votes 9 411 654 98 68 Invalid or blank votes 126 071 1 32 Total votes 9 537 725 100 00 Registered voters turnout 10 362 959 92 04 The no campaign in 1988 argued that this change would undermine states rights i e that it would move or make it possible to move some power from state governments to local governments Contents 1 Question 2 Results 3 Discussion 4 See also 5 References 6 Further readingQuestion editA Proposed Law To alter the Constitution to recognise local government Do you approve this proposed alteration The proposal was to add a new provision to the Constitution as follows 2 119A Each State shall provide for the establishment and continuance of a system of local government with local government bodies elected in accordance with the laws of the State and empowered to administer and to make by laws for their respective areas in accordance with the laws of the State Results editResult 3 4 State Electoral roll Ballots issued For Against Informal Vote Vote New South Wales 3 564 856 3 297 246 1 033 364 31 70 2 226 529 68 30 37 353 Victoria 2 697 096 2 491 183 882 020 36 06 1 563 957 63 94 45 206 Queensland 1 693 247 1 552 293 590 868 38 31 951 332 61 69 10 093 South Australia 937 974 873 511 256 421 29 85 602 499 70 15 14 591 Western Australia 926 636 845 209 247 830 29 76 584 863 70 24 12 516 Tasmania 302 324 282 785 76 707 27 50 202 214 72 50 3 864 Australian Capital Territory 5 166 131 149 128 58 755 39 78 88 945 60 22 1 428 Northern Territory 5 74 695 56 370 21 449 38 80 33 826 61 20 1 095 Total for Commonwealth 10 362 959 9 537 725 3 163 488 33 61 6 248 166 66 39 126 071 Results Obtained a majority in no state and an overall minority of 2 335 741 votes Not carriedDiscussion editThis was the second unsuccessful referendum on the subject of Local Government The 1974 referendum on Local Government Bodies sought to allow the Commonwealth to grant financial assistance to local government bodies and to borrow money on their behalf 3 See also editPolitics of Australia History of AustraliaReferences edit Constitution Alteration Local Government Bill 1988 Cth Notification of particulars of writs for referendums Commonwealth of Australia Gazette Special No S212 25 July 1988 p 3 Retrieved 15 November 2019 via Trove a b Handbook of the 44th Parliament 2014 Part 5 Referendums and Plebiscites Referendum results Parliamentary Library of Australia Result of referendum with respect to Local Government Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No S324 27 October 1988 p 3 Retrieved 23 October 2021 via Trove a b Following the 1977 referendum votes cast in the territories count towards the national total but are not counted toward any state total Further reading editSelect sources on constitutional change in Australia 1901 1997 Part 2 History of Australian Referendums PDF Commonwealth of Australia 24 March 1997 ISBN 0644484101 Bennett Scott 2003 Research Paper no 11 2002 03 The Politics of Constitutional Amendment Canberra Parliamentary Library of Australia Australian Electoral Commission 2007 Referendum Dates and Results 1906 Present AEC Canberra Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 1988 Australian referendum Local Government amp oldid 1184257793, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
