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Originally Posted by Stardrifter_WA
Hi Laurie,
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I agree with your sentiments and originally understood what you meant. Yes, we have three tiers of government, but are you proposing that we eliminate the state governments and hand that control to local councils? That is exactly what the federal government probably have in mind, with the idea of having a referendum at the next election to recognise local government, in the constitution. Will this lessen bureaucracy, I doubt it. It just moves it around.
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That would be a step too far, as local government often appear to be a law unto themselves now. Politicising local government would be an absolute disaster, as it would remove state rights and marginalise state government. I have had so many problem with local governments, as they flirt the law and impose their own restrictions. If it wasn't for the state executive, I would have had to take expensive legal action.
Right now, I am being bullied by a council, and bullying by its definition is the use of force or coercion, and have very little in the way of stopping them. I won't go into details on this as there is likely to be a court case, and it is likely to get messy, as it also involves state government. The council will just do what they want to do and if you don't like it, take it to court. This is an expensive exercise and they know that and use that against you by saying that they will do everything they can to fight it. Problem is, the money they use is ratepayers money, so they don't care. Just put up rates to compensate.  Frankly, I am sick of rate hikes. 
If councils get that recognition, god help us all. The federal government have had two referendums before with an overwhelming no vote, from memory, and they will keep trying until they get the yes answer they want. Leave the system as it is, it sort of works. Now I will hear howls of derision, if so, please provide an example where it works better before doing so.
Do you really want Canberra dictating terms and doling out money directly to councils, those councils that support a particular party. Not me. |
Hi Peter
I am not advocating doing away with state goverments, and certainly not advocating recognition of local councils.
I just feel there is a lot of federal/state overlap and the whole system could be streamlined and made more efficient.
I was hoping when we had the referendum on becoming a republic, that the pollies might take the opportunity the restructure our political system and make it more streamlined-alas, it wasn't to be.
Cheers
Laurie
