THE September referendum which could give local councils recognition in the constitution may have councillors excited, but the question has divided Riverina federal electorate candidates.
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Each of the candidates were clear cut with their support or opposition to the September 14 referendum.
Not in favour of the change is Australia First Party’s Lorraine Sharp, as well as Democratic Labor Party candidate Paul Funnell who has been outspoken about the referendum since its announcement.
“I see first hand the challenges local government are facing, but there is more to this than ensuring direct funding,” Mr Funnell said.
“This will undermine the authority of the state government which is there as a check and balance between the federal government and councils.
“It will give the federal government a chance to automatically bypass the state government, but the question is where will it stop?
“The local government already has funding from federal government through state.
“The state government dipping into it (the funding) is the problem, not the constitution.
We need to fix the system we have in place to allow the funding to flow from federal to state to local.”
To an extent Member for Riverina Michael McCormack agreed with Mr Funnell, but said the case of state governments skimming money from councils acted as an added reason to support the referendum.
“If the problem is the government creaming the money off the top which is meant to go to local councils, that is exactly the reason why we need to ensure direct funding for things like Roads to Recovery and bridges so it is funded straight to the councils,” Mr McCormack said.
Country Labor and Greens candidates Tim Kurylowicz and Ros Prangnell were both in favour of the referendum to provide local councils with added assistance.
“The change will not diminish the role of the states with regard to the administration of local government,” Mr Kurylowicz said.
“Recognition in the constitution does not alter the fact that local governments are created by and are accountable to state governments.”
The Daily Advertiser attempted to contact Palmer United Party’s Lex Stewart and Rise Up Australia Party Kim Heath for comment.
Neither returned calls.
