Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

Name them? I will. I could name the many people who were there. Certainly the Nationals held a great council and they certainly look forward to change in New England! But I digress.

This motion was supported by my colleague Mark Coulton, the member for Parkes, and attracted some passionate debate from other National Party members, including the person who sits right next to me, the member for Hinkler, who spoke in favour of constitutional recognition of local government. I am pleased that this received overwhelming national support and I look forward to supporting the constitutional change when it is put to the people in September.

I am disappointed, however, that the Labor Party waited so long to announce it. As I say, I think that was certainly a distraction and I am disappointed that such an important change has all the tarnished hallmarks of the haste for which this Labor government has become so famous—or, should I say, infamous. Local government is the closest level of government to the people. It is important that this referendum passes. I support the recognition of local government and I commend it to the House.

In December 2011, the Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Local Government—and I understand the member for New England was part of this process—produced quite a tome as its final report.

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