The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has called for bi-partisan support of the forthcoming referendum on local government recognition in the Constitution.

"History shows that referendums do not succeed without bipartisan support.  That is why I am urging the Opposition, and all political parties, to support the referendum-related legislation when it is debated in parliament this week," ALGA President, Felicity-ann Lewis said.

The call for unity comes one week after Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced the referendum, which will be held on the same day as the Federal election, with the appropriate legislation set to be before the Parliament in the coming weeks.

"This week will be the first test of strength of the bipartisan support for the referendum," Mayor Lewis said.

"The shared view among all commentators and experts is that without bipartisan support, it is not possible for a referendum to succeed."

"The Government's challenge is to deliver on its commitment to have a referendum in 2013 and by implication, to do what it can to give such a referendum the best chance of success.

"ALGA's challenge is to work within a rapidly decreasing timeframe to run a successful campaign which sees the referendum passed - the first such success in more than 36 years.”