The Australian Greens will move for an amendment to section 96 of the Constitution – the section which sets out that the Commonwealth may grant financial assistance to the states on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit – to add the words ‘and local government’.

Addressing the Australian Local Government Association National General Assembly today Senator Brown said that recognising local government in the Constitution is ALP policy and was a promise made by Mr. Rudd in the 2007 election campaign.

“But there’s been no action,” said Senator Brown.

“At the start of the next period of Government, the Greens will present a bill to the Senate for this referendum.

“Previous attempts, in 1974 and 1988, to have the status of local government recognised through a referendum failed because of the confusing nature of the questions put to the Australian voters.”

Jim McDonald

Dr Jim McDonald is your Greens candidate for Wide Bay.

Jim has lived in Noosa for 14 years . He was married for almost 34 years and is now widowed. He has a son and two granddaughters who live in Europe. Jim is involved in a number of community organisations, and is also active in the cultural life of the Sunshine Coast, singing in local choirs, writing plays, and acting in theatre companies.

Jim spent much of his working life representing employees on two Victorian teachers’ union councils, working as a full-time union official in the 1980s, and elected by academic staff to his university’s Council. At university, he taught industrial relations and negotiation. His area of specialisation was research on management in small and medium sized businesses. After retiring he ran a free industrial relations policy website, used throughout Australia by students, academics, unions and business.

In 2003 Jim stood for Noosa Council on an environmental platform, supporting the population cap.

Jim is especially interested in Federal policies about our health and education for our children, industrial relations, climate change, the protection of prime food production areas such as the Mary Valley and South Burnett, regional arts and culture policy, seniors’ issues, and the provision of efficient local public transport and rapid transit rail to Brisbane.

Jim decided to stand for Wide Bay because “My strongest political belief is that individuals can make a difference. It’s what democracy is about. That’s why I spent so much of my life working for a fair go. I would also like to give something back to my community.”