Outgoing Local Government Association of Queensland President, Cr Paul Bell, has announced he is taking a tilt at a second term as President of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA).

 

Cr Bell, who is to hand over the reins to a new president during the LGAQ’s Annual Conference this month, said that he is driven to see a referendum on the Constitutional recognition of local government.

 

“I feel so strongly about this issue and the place of local government in the Federal scene,” said Cr Bell.

 

If successful, this will be Cr Bell’s second stint as ALGA president.  He previously held the top job from 2004 to 2008.  He has spent 12 years on the LGAQ executive and eight years as president.

 

“Having another lap as ALGA president and enduring Canberra’s weather wasn’t on my, or my wife’s, to-do list - more time at home in Emerald with family and grandkids was - but there is a big job to be done and I’ve learned over many years that history is what you make it.

 

I happily commit to do everything within my power to ensure the referendum goes ahead at the time when we can win.”

 

 

The announcement by Cr Bell comes after the Federal Government announced a Parliamentary Committee to investigate the plausibility of a referendum on the issue.