[Greens-Media] Greens press Abbott to back local government vote

[Hetherington, Alison (Sen C. Milne)]

MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday 18 June 2013

Greens press Abbott to back local government vote

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott should clearly back a yes vote in the upcoming referendum on Constitutional recognition of local government, Australian Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne told the annual local government conference in Canberra today.

"The Greens strongly support a referendum on whether local government should be recognised in the Constitution. This would enable the federal government to fund local government services directly, rather than funnelling money through the states," Senator Milne said.

"It's up to local government representatives to lobby the Coalition to ensure Mr Abbott understands the need for direct funding from the Commonwealth.

"Mr Abbott has said he supports the principle of a referendum but the Coalition has been playing politics with this inside the parliament and he has not come out strongly backing the yes vote.

"We know that referenda have little hope of succeeding unless they have cross-party support.

"Recognition of local government in our Constitution is important for securing important community services and all parties should commit to making it happen," Senator Milne said

The referendum on Constitutional recognition for local government was one of the Greens' requirements for supporting Labor to form government in 2010.

Media Contact: Georgie Klug 0438 376 082