IT SHOULD BE A FAIR GO FOR ALL
In the upcoming local council election, we will have a referendum question regarding the number of councillors chosen in future elections.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The choice is to stay with 12 or reduce the number to nine. I have voiced my opinion previously, and that is to stay with the current number of councilors.
The catch cry has been about saving money. If it were purely about saving money, cutting one position from a staff of over 300 would make more sense than slashing councilor numbers by 25 per cent to save less money.
This does not stack up as a reasonable argument. I cannot understand how having less representation can be a benefit to anyone. I am yet to hear a valid reason as to why less is more.
Generally council members have been farmers and business owners, which makes sense, as council is a big business. Regular wage earners as councillors have rarely been highly high represented.
Loading up less councilors with a higher workload could result in fewer wage earning people putting up there hand to run for council because of work commitments. Being a councillor can be intense, but that's fair enough, that's what we sign up for.
Having 12 councilors allows for a bit of depth to cover for sickness, work commitments or pecuniary interest absences. The point is, it should be a fair go for all.
Councillor Simon Croce, Griffith
HAVE STATES REVERTED TO COLONIES?
The Australian Constitution and what we should know in regards to our Constitution.
Section No 92 Trade within the Commonwealth to be free.
Should our state borders be closed? Why have we become a divided country?
In accordance with our constitution, on the imposition of uniform duties of customs, and trade commerce, and intercourse among the States, where by means of internal carriage or ocean navigation. Such shall by absolutely free.
The States and their legislative power. Under the federal system created by the Australian Constitution, the six former colonies became the six States of Australia. Before federation, each of the six colonies had its own constitution. These constitutions regulated, among other things, the legislature, the executive government, and judiciary of the States. The Australian Constitution expressly guarantee the continuing existence of the States and preserves each of their constitutions. However the States mare bound by the Australian Constitution, and the constitution of the States must be read subject to the Australian Constitution (sections 106 and 107).
106 Saving of Constitution
Every power of Parliament of the Commonwealth shall, subject to this Constitution, continue as at the establishment, of a state, as the case may be, until be, until altered in accordance with the Constitution of the State.
107 Saving of power of State Parliaments
Every power of the Parliament of a Colony which has become or becomes a State, shall, unless it is by this constitution exclusively vestee in Parliament of the Commonwealth or withdrawn from Parliament of the State, continue as at the establishment of the Commonwealth, or as at the admission or establishment of the States, as the case may be.
The relationship between Commonwealth and State powers, although the State parliament can pass laws on a wide range of subjects than the Commonwealth Parliament, the Commonwealth is generally regarded as the more powerful partner in the Federation.
One of the principle reasons for this section 109 of the Constitution which provides that if a Valid Commonwealth law is consistent with a law of State Parliament. The Commonwealth law operates and the state law is invalid to the extent of the inconsistency.
Have our state governments gone back to the old ways before federation, a colony state to do what they want?