Footnotes

Chapter 1 - Introduction

[1]        Senate Journals, No. 159, 16 August 2007, p. 4243.

[2]        Explanatory Memorandum, p. 2.

[3]        To view the submissions online see: https://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/fapa_ctte/democratic_plebiscites_07/submissions/sublist.htm (accessed 3 September 2007).

Chapter 2 - Background

[1]        Much of the content of this chapter was drawn from Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Democratic Plebiscites) Bill 2007, Bills Digest, Department of Parliamentary Services, August 2007.

[2]        The Hon. Gary Nairn MP, Special Minster of State, House of Representatives Hansard, 16 August 2007, p. 28.

[3]        Local Government Association of Queensland, Submission 67, p. 7.

[4]        www.strongercouncils.qld.gov.au/Whyreform.aspx (accessed 6 September 2007).

[5]        Local Government Act 1993 (Qld), s. 64.

[6]        Reflected in new subsections 7A(1C) to (1G) of the current bill.

[7]        The Hon. John Howard, MP, Prime Minister, Joint Press Conference with the Treasurer, the Hon Peter Costello, MP, Parliament House, Canberra, 8 August 2007.

[8]        Local Government Reform Implementation Act 2007 (Qld), s. 159ZY.

[9]        Local Government Act 1993 (Qld), para. 164(1)(a).

[10]      'Howard to override Beattie on merger votes', ABC News, 16 August 2007.

[11]      New subsection 7A(1E).

[12]      The Hon. Gary Nairn, MP, House of Representatives Hansard, 16 August 2007, p. 28.

[13]      The Hon. John Howard, MP, Queensland local government amalgamations, media release, 19 August 2007.

Chapter 3 - Key Issues

[1]        Trish and Nick Radge, Submission 4, p. 1.

[2]        Mr Robert Hayward, Chief Executive Officer, Tambo Shire Council and Senator Mitch Fifield, Chair, Senate Finance and Public Administration Committee, Committee Hansard, 31 August 2007, p. 27.

[3]        'I was wrong, says Beattie, as he allows plebiscites', The Australian, 20 August 2007, p. 4.

[4]        Local Government Association of Queensland, Submission 67, p. 10.

[5]        Associate Professor Graeme Orr, University of Queensland, Submission 57, p. 1.

[6]        Associate Professor Graeme Orr, University of Queensland, Committee Hansard, 3 September 2007, p. 7.

[7]        Associate Professor Graeme Orr, University of Queensland, Committee Hansard, 3 September 2007, p. 4.

[8]        Letter from the Hon. Andrew Fraser MP, Queensland Minister for Local Government, Planning and Sport to the Hon. Gary Nairn MP, Special Minister of State, 24 August 2007, tabled by the Department of Finance and Administration, 3 September 2007.

[9]        Letter from the Hon Andrew Fraser MP, Queensland Minister for Local Government, Planning and Sport to the Hon Gary Nairn MP, Special Minister of State, 24 August 2007, tabled by Department of Finance and Administration, 3 September 2007.

[10]      Mr Marc Mowbray-d’Arbela, Assistant Secretary, Legislative Review Branch, Department of Finance and Administration, Committee Hansard, 3 September 2007, p. 62.

[11]      Department of Finance and Administration, additional information, 6 September 2007 (received 6 September 2007); see www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/fapa_ctte/democratic_plebiscites_07/additional_info/finance070907.pdf (accessed 7 September 2007).

[12]      Department of Finance and Administration, additional information, 6 September 2007 (received 6 September 2007); see ww.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/fapa_ctte/democratic_plebiscites_07/additional_info/finance070907.pdf (accessed 7 September 2007).

[13]      Mr Michael Kinnane, Director-General, Queensland Department of Local Government, Planning, Sport and Recreation, correspondence, 7 September 2007, (received 7 September 2007), see www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/fapa_ctte/democratic_plebiscites_07/submissions/sublist.htm.

[14]      The Local Government Amendment Bill (Qld) is listed on the notice paper of 9 October 2007. The bill's status is listed as 'Resumption of second reading debate.'; see www.parliament.qld.gov.au/view/legislativeAssembly/tableoffice/documents/notice_paper/2007/071009-NP.pdf (accessed 7 September 2007).

[15]      See further www.smh.com.au/news/National/Judge-wont-adjourn-Qld-council-case/2007/09/04/1188783217665.html (accessed 5 September 2007).

[16]      Dr Michael Taylor, President, Noosa Shire Residents and Ratepayers Association, Committee Hansard, 30 August 2007, p. 2.

[17]      See, for example, Mr Robert Hayward, Chief Executive Officer, Tambo Shire Council, Committee Hansard, 31 August 2007, p. 26; Councillor Donald Stiller, Mayor, Taroom Shire Council, Committee Hansard, p. 50; and Councillor Peter Glindemann, Deputy Mayor, Jericho Shire Council, Committee Hansard, p. 26.

[18]      Mr Gregory Hoffman, Director, Policy and Representation, Local Government Association of Queensland, Committee Hansard, 3 September 2007, p. 19.

[19]      Mr Paul Dacey, Deputy Electoral Commissioner, Australian Electoral Commission, Committee Hansard, 3 September 2007, p. 60.

[20]      Professor Brian Costar, Committee Hansard, 3 September 2007, pp 2–3.

[21]      Mr Paul Dacey, Deputy Electoral Commissioner, Australian Electoral Commission, Committee Hansard, 3 September 2007, p. 63.

[22]      Mr Paul Dacey, Deputy Electoral Commissioner, Australian Electoral Commission, Committee Hansard, 3 September 2007, p. 61.

[23]      Explanatory Memorandum, p. 1.

[24]      Councillor Russell Glindemann, Deputy Mayor, Jericho Shire Council, Committee Hansard, 31 August 2007, p. 26; Councillor Glen Rogers, Mayor, Stanthorpe Shire Council, Committee Hansard, 3 September 2007, p. 26.

[25]      Mr Paul Dacey, Deputy Electoral Commissioner, Australian Electoral Commission, Committee Hansard, 3 September 2007, p. 61.

[26]      Mr Paul Dacey, Deputy Electoral Commissioner, Australian Electoral Commission, Committee Hansard, 3 September 2007, p. 63.

[27]      Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Democratic Plebiscites) Bill 2007, Schedule 1, Item 3.

[28]      Mr Robert Hayward, Chief Executive Officer, Tambo Shire Council, Committee Hansard, 31 August 2007, p. 32.

[29]      Mr Paul Dacey, Deputy Electoral Commissioner, Australian Electoral Commission, Committee Hansard, 3 September 2007, p. 61.

[30]      Mrs Raynette Mitchell, Secretary, Eumundi, Doonan, Verrierdale Action Group, Committee Hansard, 30 August 2007, p. 34.

[31]      Professor Brian Costar, Submission 16, p. 1.

[32]      Mr Paul Dacey, Deputy Electoral Commissioner, Australian Electoral Commission, Committee Hansard, 3 September 2007, pp 60 & 63.

[33]      Associate Professor Graeme Orr, University of Queensland, Submission 57; Professor Gerard Carney, Submission 77. The Melbourne Corporation principle provides that the states are immune from Commonwealth laws that are too directly restrictive of the core functions and freedoms of the states as independent polities.

[34]      The validity of the offending Queensland provisions is currently before the Queensland Supreme Court, see www.smh.com.au/news/National/Judge-wont-adjourn-Qld-council-case/2007/09/04/1188783217665.html (accessed 5 September 2007).

[35]      Professor Gerard Carney, Submission 77, p. 1.

[36]      Associate Professor Graeme Orr, University of Queensland, Submission 57, p. 4.

[37]      Mr Marc Mowbray-d'Arbela, Assistant Secretary, Legislative Review Branch, Department of Finance and Administration. Committee Hansard, 3 September 2007, p. 68.

[38]      Mr Marc Mowbray-d'Arbela, Assistant Secretary, Legislative Review Branch, Department of Finance and Administration. Committee Hansard, 3 September 2007, p. 68.

[39]      Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Democratic Plebiscites) Bill 2007, Bills Digest, Department of Parliamentary Services, August 2007, p. 8. The Constitution Alteration (Local Government Bodies) 1974 sought to give the Commonwealth Parliament powers to borrow money for, and to make financial assistance grants directly to, any local government body; the Constitution Alteration (Local Government) 1988 sought to give constitutional recognition to local government by entrenching the existing situation of local governments being creatures of the states in the Constitution.

[40]      Mr Bob Ansett, Vice Chairman, Friends of Noosa, Committee Hansard, 3 September 2007, p. 4.

[41]      Mr Bob Ansett, Vice Chairman, Friends of Noosa, Committee Hansard, 3 September 2007, pp 4–5.

[42]      Mr Glen Elmes MP, Legislative Assembly of Queensland, Committee Hansard, 3 September 2007, p. 75.

[43]      Councillor Joan White, Inglewood Shire Council, Committee Hansard, 3 September 2007, p. 34.

[44]      Councillor John Rich, Australian Local Government Association, Committee Hansard, 3 September 2007, p. 15.

[45]      Mr Glen Elms MP, Legislative Assembly of Queensland, Committee Hansard, 30 August 2007, p. 78.

[46]      Mr Brendan Scanlon, Committee Member, Eumundi, Doonan, Verrierdale Action Group, Committee Hansard, 30 August 2007, p. 29.

[47]      Mr Gregory Hoffman, Director, Policy and Representation, Local Government Association of Queensland, Committee Hansard, 3 September 2007, p. 13.

[48]      Mr Gregory Hoffman, Director, Policy and Representation, Local Government Association of Queensland, Committee Hansard, 3 September 2007, p. 12.

[49]      Alex McDonald, Submission 12, p. 1.

[50]      E.R. Realf, Submission 21, p. 1.

[51]      Local Government Association of Queensland, Submission 67, p. 2.

[52]      See, for example, Councillor Donald Stiller, Mayor, Taroom Shire Council, Committee Hansard, 31 August 2007, p. 49; Councillor Malcolm Dinham, Tara Shire Council, Committee Hansard, 31 August 2007, p. 57; Mr Peter Butt, Vice President of the Hastings Street Association, Committee Hansard, 30 August 2007, p. 56.

[53]      Councillor Robert Abbot, Mayor, Noosa Shire Council, Committee Hansard, 30 August 2007, p. 13.

[54]      Councillor William Trevor, Mayor, Isis Shire Council, Committee Hansard, 30 August 2007, p. 39.

[55]      Councillor William Trevor, Mayor, Isis Shire Council, Committee Hansard, 30 August 2007, p. 37.

[56]      Local Government Association of Queensland, Submission 67, p. 8.

[57]      Councillor Robert Abbot, Mayor, Noosa Shire Council, Committee Hansard, 30 August 2007, p. 12.

[58]      Councillor Frank Pennisi, Committee Hansard, 30 August, p. 64.

[59]      See, for example, Mr Trevor Cooper, Committee Hansard, 30 August 2007, p. 63.

[60]      Mr Howard Hobbs MP, Queensland Legislative Assembly, Shadow Minister for Local Government, Committee Hansard, 31 August 2007, p. 17; see also Councillor Michael Berwick, Mayor, Douglas Shire Council, Committee Hansard, 3 September 2007, p. 48.

[61]      Mr Howard Hobbs MP, Queensland Legislative Assembly, Shadow Minister for Local Government, Committee Hansard, 31 August 2007, p. 13.

[62]      The Hon Bruce Scott MP, Federal Member for Maranoa, Submission 35, p. 5.

[63]      The Hon Bruce Scott MP, Federal Member for Maranoa, Submission 35, p. 6.

[64]      Councillor William Trevor, Mayor, Isis Shire Council, Committee Hansard, 30 August 2007, pp 37–38.

[65]      Mr Robert Hayward, Chief Executive Officer, Tambo Shire Council, Committee Hansard, 31 August 2007, p. 21.

[66]      Associate Professor Graeme Orr, Submission 57, p. 1.

[67]      Councillor Allan Sutherland, Mayor, Redcliffe City Council, Committee Hansard, 3 September 2007, p. 54.

[68]      The Hon Bruce Scott MP, Federal Member for Maranoa, Committee Hansard, 31 August 2007, p. 3.

[69]      Mr Robert Hayward, Chief Executive Officer, Tambo Shire Council, Committee Hansard, 31 August 2007, p. 25.

[70]      Councillor John Back, Mayor, Ilfracombe Shire Council, Committee Hansard, 31 August 2007, p. 23.

[71]      Mr Robert Hayward, Chief Executive Officer, Tambo Shire Council, Committee Hansard, 31 August 2007, Committee Hansard, 31 August 2007, p. 25.

[72]      Councillor John Back, Mayor, Ilfracombe Shire Council, Committee Hansard, 31 August 2007, p. 23.

[73]      Mr Gregory Reddaway, Treasurer, Friends of Noosa, Committee Hansard, 30 August 2007, p. 6.

[74]      Councillor Michael Berwick, Mayor, Douglas Shire Council, Committee Hansard, 3 September 2007, p. 41.

[75]      Mr Toshie Kris, Chair of the Torres Strait Regional Authority, and Chair of the St Paul's Island Council, Committee Hansard, 3 September 2007, p. 57.

[76]      Mr Joseph Elu, Chair of the Seisia Island Council, Committee Hansard, 3 September 2007, pp 57–58.

Minority Report by the Australian Labor Party

[1]        Mr Kevin Rudd MP, Leader of the Opposition, Doorstop Interview, 17 May 2007, see: www.alp.org.au/media/0507/dsiloo170.php (accessed 7 September 2007).

[2]        Mr Paul Dacey, Deputy Electoral Commissioner, Australian Electoral Commission, Committee Hansard, 3 September 2007, pp. 60–61.

[3]        Mr John Howard MP, then Leader of the Opposition, Address to the National Press Club, Canberra, 23 June 1988.

[4]        Mr John Howard MP, then Leader of the Opposition, Address to the National Press Club, Canberra, 23 June 1988.

Supplementary Remarks by Senator Andrew Murray

[1]        The Macquarie Concise Dictionary 2nd Edition.

[2]        Explanatory Memorandum, Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Democratic Plebiscites) Bill 2007.

[3]        Schedule 1, Item 1, Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Democratic Plebiscites) Bill 2007.

[4]        International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (New York, 16 December 1966): Entry into force generally (except Article 41): 23 March 1976. Article 41 came into force generally on 28 March 1979.

[5]        Entry into force for Australia (except Article 41): 13 November 1980. Article 41 came into force for Australia on 28 January 1993.

[6]        Article 19 – 1. Everyone shall have the right to hold opinions without interference. 2. Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice. 3. The exercise of the rights provided for in paragraph 2 of this article carries with it special duties and responsibilities. It may therefore be subject to certain restrictions, but these shall only be such as are provided by law and are necessary: (a) For respect of the rights or reputations of others; (b) For the protection of national security or of public order (ordre public), or of public health or morals.

[7]        Article 25 – Every citizen shall have the right and the opportunity, without any of the distinctions mentioned in article 2 and without unreasonable restrictions: (a) To take part in the conduct of public affairs, directly or through freely chosen representatives.

[8]        Trish and Nick Radge, Submission 4, p. 1.

[9]        Commonwealth v. Tasmania (The Tasmanian Dam Case), (1983) 158 CLR 1.

[10]      Committee Hansard, 31 August 2007.

[11]      See for instance Mr Robert Hayward, Committee Hansard, 31 August 2007, p. 21.

[12]      Brandy v. Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (1995) 127 ALR 1.

[13]      Re Wakim, Ex parte McNally (1999) 198 CLR 511.

[14]      Mr Paul Dacey, Committee Hansard, 3 September 2007, p. 63.

[15]      The word 'virtual' is used as s394 uses the proviso 'without the authority of the Governor‑General'.

[16]      Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters, The 2004 Federal Election: Report of the Inquiry into the Conduct of the 2004 Federal Election and Matters Related thereto, September 2005.

[17]      Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters, The 2004 Federal Election: Report of the Inquiry into the Conduct of the 2004 Federal Election and Matters Related Thereto, September 2005, p. 404.

[18]      Dr Graeme Orr, Associate Professor from the University of Queensland, Committee Hansard, 3 September 2007, p. 2.

[19]      Dr Graeme Orr, Associate Professor from the University of Queensland, Committee Hansard, 3 September 2007, p. 8.

[20]      The Macquarie Concise Dictionary 2^nd Edition

[21]      See http://www.direct-democracy.co.uk/.

[22]      Caroline Morris, Lessons in Direct Democracy from New Zealand, Perspective, Centre for Policy Studies, 2007.

[23]      Caroline Morris, Lessons in Direct Democracy from New Zealand, August 2007, Appendix.

[24]      Cr Berwick, Mayor, Douglas Shire Council, Committee Hansard, 3 September 2007, p. 8.

Appendix 4 - Excerpts from the Local Government Act 1993 (Qld)

[1]        Section 5, Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 (Qld)