In the September 14th referendum about the recognition of local government in the Australian Constitution, Lord Mayor Fong Lim, not unexpectedly, urges a “yes” vote.

Mayor Fong Lim, like many government leaders these days, seem...s to believe in bigger government, and therefore is keen for a “yes” vote to be successful – thereby enabling direct (and legal)Federal Government funding to local government to pay for “local facilities” - as she puts it.
 
Surely it would be better for Darwin City Council to concentrate only on basic functions like roads, stormwater, parks & gardens, street lighting, dog control, and the like – and fund it all with the rates collected, rather than dream up new “ideas” and then find ways to fund them?
 
Of course the real danger of direct Federal Government funding of local government is the influence and control they could exert on a local council.
 
For example, a socialist-style federal government, like the current Rudd-Gillard regime, could use local government as a proxy or agent to implement policies that may be abhorrent to the ratepayers by using “funding” as a bargaining chip or even a straight “bribe”.
This is one of many good reasons why the Australian people rejected two similar constitutional amendment proposals in 1974 and 1988.

The thought of any Federal Government having direct control in local government through “targeted funding” and the like frightens me.
 
I urge a “NO” vote. Keep Local Government small, efficient and free from Canberra’s control.
Yours truly,
Dave Wane
13th June, 2013