The Federal Referendum to recognise Local Governments is still on the agenda, but it seems the enthusiasm of some members of the Opposition may be cooling.

Tony Abbot is backing away from previous support of the referendum, saying he had “enormous reservations about the way the Government has done this, and I say to the Australian people: if you don't understand it, don't vote for it.”

The date of the referendum has been thrown into question with the shift in Labor leadership; it had been set for the same day as the Federal Election, now some sources are speculating that will change.

Coalition candidate for New England Barnaby Joyce has lead the Coalition cause in favour of the referendum. He says unless the Local Government Association or the Prime Minister intervened at this point, the decision will certainly go to the people as planned. If passed, it would see Australia’s laws changed so that Federal funds can be given directly to Local Governments, subverting the State level.

The question has been put to voters before, in 1974 and 1988, it was rejected both times.