7th Sep 2006, 9:56 AM – Senate Motions - Local Government in Australia - Referendum
Summary
EditThe majority voted against an amendment introduced by Labor Senator Kim Carr.
It would have amended a motion introduced by Liberal Senator Chris Ellison by replacing the words:
(a) [That the Senate] recognises that local government is part of the governance of Australia, serving communities through locally-elected councils;
with the words:
(a) [That the Senate] supports a referendum to extend constitutional recognition to local government in recognition of the essential role it plays in the governance of Australia;
Background
There are three tiers of government in Australia: federal, state and local. Currently, the Australian Constitution does not mention local governments. In 1988, a referendum was held to amend the Constitution so that it recognises local governments but it was unsuccessful.
Votes Not passed by a small majority
Nobody rebelled against their party.
| Party | Votes | |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Democrats (100% turnout) | 4 Yes – 0 No | |
| Lyn Allison Victoria | Yes | |
| Andrew Bartlett Queensland | Yes | |
| Andrew Murray WA | Yes | |
| Natasha Stott Despoja SA | Yes | |
| Australian Greens (100% turnout) | 4 Yes – 0 No | |
| Bob Brown Tasmania | Yes | |
| Christine Milne Tasmania | Yes | |
| Kerry Nettle NSW | Yes | |
| Rachel Siewert WA | Yes | |
| Australian Labor Party (93% turnout) | 25 Yes – 0 No | |
| Mark Bishop WA | Yes | |
| George Campbell NSW | Yes | |
| Kim Carr Victoria | Yes | |
| Stephen Conroy Victoria | Yes | |
| Trish Crossin NT | Yes | |
| Chris Evans WA | Yes | |
| John Faulkner NSW | Yes | |
| Michael Forshaw NSW | Yes | |
| Annette Hurley SA | Yes | |
| Steve Hutchins NSW | Yes | |
| Linda Kirk SA | Yes | |
| Joe Ludwig Queensland | Yes | |
| Kate Lundy ACT | Yes | |
| Gavin Marshall Victoria | Yes | |
| Anne McEwen SA | Yes | |
| Jan McLucas Queensland | Yes | |
| Claire Moore Queensland | Yes | |
| Kerry O'Brien Tasmania | Yes | |
| Helen Polley Tasmania | Yes | |
| Robert Ray Victoria | Yes | |
| Ursula Stephens NSW | Yes | |
| Glenn Sterle WA | Yes | |
| Ruth Webber WA | Yes | |
| Penny Wong SA | Yes | |
| Dana Wortley SA | Yes | |
| Carol Brown Tasmania | Absent | |
| Nick Sherry Tasmania | Absent | |
| Nigel Scullion NT Country Liberal Party | No | |
| John Hogg Queensland Deputy President | Yes | |
| Steve Fielding Victoria Family First Party | No | |
| Liberal Party (94% turnout) | 0 Yes – 30 No | |
| Eric Abetz Tasmania | No | |
| Judith Adams WA | No | |
| Guy Barnett Tasmania | No | |
| Cory Bernardi SA | No | |
| George Brandis Queensland | No | |
| Ian Campbell WA | No | |
| Grant Chapman SA | No | |
| Helen Coonan NSW | No | |
| Alan Eggleston WA | No | |
| Chris Ellison WA | No | |
| Alan Ferguson SA | No | |
| Jeannie Ferris SA | No | |
| Concetta Fierravanti-Wells NSW | No | |
| Mitch Fifield Victoria | No | |
| Bill Heffernan NSW | No | |
| Gary Humphries ACT | No | |
| David Johnston WA | No | |
| Rod Kemp Victoria | No | |
| Ross Lightfoot WA | No | |
| Ian Macdonald Queensland | No | |
| Brett Mason Queensland | No | |
| Stephen Parry Tasmania | No | |
| Kay Patterson Victoria | No | |
| Marise Payne NSW | No | |
| Michael Ronaldson Victoria | No | |
| Santo Santoro Queensland | No | |
| Judith Troeth Victoria | No | |
| Russell Trood Queensland | No | |
| Amanda Vanstone SA | No | |
| John Watson Tasmania | No | |
| Richard Colbeck Tasmania | Absent | |
| Nick Minchin SA | Absent | |
| National Party (100% turnout) | 0 Yes – 5 No | |
| Ron Boswell Queensland | No | |
| Barnaby Joyce Queensland | No | |
| Sandy Macdonald NSW | No | |
| Julian McGauran Victoria | No | |
| Fiona Nash NSW | No | |
| Paul Calvert Tasmania President | No | |
| Totals (95% turnout) | 34 Yes – 38 No |
Turnout is the percentage of members eligible to vote that did vote.