Source: https://constitutionwatch.com.au/local-government-bill-memorandum-1988/
[Bold underline emphasis added]
GENERAL OUTLINE
This Bill proposes that the Constitution be amended so as to give recognition in the Constitution to local government in the States.
NOTES ON INDIVIDUAL CLAUSES
Clause 1: Short title
Clause 2: Local Government
2. This clause inserts in the Constitution a new section (section 119A) obliging each State to provide for the establishment and continuance of a system of local government, with local government bodies –
- elected in accordance with the laws of the State; and
- empowered to administer, and to make by—laws for, their respective areas in accordance with the laws of the State.
3. The constitutional obligation will be to establish and continue a system of local government. The essential elements of the system will be elected local government bodies empowered to administer and to make by—laws for their respective areas.
It will be a matter for State Parliaments to determine the manner of elections, the area to be covered by each local government body, the manner of administration and the manner of exercise and the extent of the power to make by—laws. Section ll9A is not intended to preclude a State from providing for particular local government bodies to be amalgamated with other such bodies. Nor is it intended to preclude laws providing for the dismissal of a local council in appropriate circumstances, subject to a new local government body being elected within a reasonable period.
4. Section 119A is not intended to oblige a State to establish local government bodies throughout the whole of the State. A State would be free to determine that, having regard to the nature of a particular region and other relevant circumstances, it would not be appropriate for the region to be administered by a local government body.
This referendum failed.
Australia Act 1986
No. 142, 1985
5 Commonwealth Constitution, Constitution Act and Statute of Westminster not affected
Sections 2 and 3(2) above:
(a) are subject to the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act and to the Constitution of the Commonwealth; and
(b) do not operate so as to give any force or effect to a provision of an Act of the Parliament of a State that would repeal, amend or be repugnant to this Act, the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act, the Constitution of the Commonwealth or the Statute of Westminster 1931 as amended and in force from time to time.