the facts say yes
The 2013 referendum to recognise
local government
The facts say YES
The 2013 referendum to recognise local government
What’s it all about?
• On election day the City of Bayswater community will vote to secure direct
Federal funding for vital projects in our area – like road black spot
upgrades and other important infrastructure improvements.
• When our Constitution was written more than a century ago there was no
mention of local government, but because of two recent High Court rulings
there is now a threat to the way many local government projects are
currently funded.
• Funding for important community facilities like roads, libraries, sports
grounds, recycling stations, child care facilities, community centres and
parks is under threat.
• A YES vote will secure direct Federal funding by making a small but
necessary change to our Constitution.
What does that mean for the City of
Bayswater?
• Since 2000, City of Bayswater has received $30,298.906 in direct Federal
funding.
• This funding has gone towards:
• The RISE $10M
• Proposed upgrade of Tonkin Highway/Collier Road overpass
• Roads to Recovery - Emberson Road Resurfacing $130,827
• Disability Ramp for Maylands Yacht Club $98,000
• Bayswater WAVES New Equipment $200,000
• The benefits of these projects have included:
• New Community facilities such as The RISE
• Improvements to existing facilities such as the Bayswater Waves
Aquatic Centre.
• Safer roads
• If this referendum is not successful, projects like these will be under threat.
What’s at stake?
What’s at stake?
What’s at stake?
Why should the City of Bayswater
community vote YES?
• A YES vote is a vote for keeping things as they currently are.
• A YES vote will preserve the sort of arrangements that for more than 10 years
have funded projects like those you’ve just seen, and programs like Roads to
Recovery, which has saved lives by fixing dangerous black spots on local
roads.
• Voting YES simply ensures existing practice can continue – and that’s a good
thing for the City of Bayswater community.
Will it pass?
• Two similar votes have not passed previously, but this time there is an
immediate and real risk to Federal funding for important local programs and
bi-partisan support.
• A YES vote was supported by all but two members of the House of
Representatives and an overwhelming majority of the Senate because it
just makes sense
• A YES vote is supported by the majority of local councils across Australia
• Research shows that when people understand the FACTS behind the
referendum they vote YES – because it just makes sense.
What happens if it doesn’t pass?
• Important local projects need Federal funding and voting YES is the only
way to secure this. There is no other source to replace this funding.
• If the referendum doesn’t succeed then funding for things like Roads to
Recovery, libraries, sports grounds, recycling stations, child care facilities,
community centres and parks will be under threat.
• If the referendum doesn’t succeed Federal funding would have to go
through three layers of government before it gets to the community – which
means we won’t get our fair share or have as much say about how that
money is spent.
Mythbusting
• There will be no change to the legal relationship between state and local
governments.
• Local councils will still be accountable to State Governments, as they are
now.
• The current system of consultation and checks and balances for every
project will not change.
• The Federal Government will not be able to tell you what colour to paint
your front door.
What’s happening locally?
A YES vote is a vote for the City of Bayswater community, so we will be
supporting the YES campaign by:
•Participating in an exciting national launch event
•Communicating with members of the local community, both directly and
through our local media
•Talking about the great projects we all enjoy that have come about through
direct Federal funding
•Mobilising on the ground support from council and community members
•Rallying volunteer resources for polling booths
What can you do to help?
• We need as much support as possible to get the facts out so the City of
Bayswater community can make an informed YES vote
• Talk to your friends and family about this important issues
• Get active online: search ‘the facts say yes’
• Volunteer to hand out information on polling day
• Contact the City of Bayswater on 9272 0622 for more information
• When people understand the FACTS behind the referendum they vote YES
– because it just makes sense.
Questions?