23 September 2013 by Cheryl Saunders

Reflections on the Local Government Referendum That Wasn’t

http://blogs.unimelb.edu.au/opinionsonhigh/2013/09/23/saunders-local-gov...

Abbott's new cabinet is a tough move away from the fundamentals that were key to the two terms of the Rudd/Gillard/Rudd governments. Abbott calls it a "return to the basics".

I am a strong supporter of the Australian Republican Movement (ARM). But sometimes they get things wrong!

http://www.ouridentity.org.au/

As Abbott prepares to take over the reigns of power, much has been said in MSM and social media in the last week about "mandate". It is obvious that few understand what it is and how it applies in this case and lots of people are prepared to offer advice to the rest of us based on this ignorance.

The impact of the election on current next steps

Well, my life has changed. With Abbott in the driving seat, Australia is a different place to the one I have been ruminating about for the last few years. Here is a summation of some realities I am going to have to come to terms with, as the 'next three year' period commences:

Steve Irons writes in Independent Australia :

Could be a flop ...

"The local government referendum has all but disappeared from view since Kevin Rudd became prime minister again; Steve Irons talks about the change to government we should all support and why.

Debate in the Parliament

The debate in the House of Representatives over

changing the Constitution to give the Commonwealth the power to grant financial assistance to any State, or to any local government body formed by a law of a State

was left very late indeed.

In an unusual moment of bipartisanship, key parliamentary advocates Wayne Swan and Malcolm Turnbull have come together to promote a new book on a New Australia, a book considered by many to be long overdue; a book promoting a blueprint for change; a book suggesting that a republic is achievable and maybe earlier than we think.

Dear Tony

It's a simple message and it has already been tried out and proven by MDBA. We want water in Australia to be regulated by 32 Basin Authorities. Click here to view the basin authority boundaries:

"THE Gillard government is pressing ahead with plans for a high-speed rail network linking Melbourne and Brisbane, despite an admission that the $114 billion project would be a 'monumental endeavour'.

"Transport Minister Anthony Albanese will today release the second and final report into the high-speed rail, produced by eight consulting firms that claimed the project would generate positive economic benefits.