Local Governement David Crisafulli says 'scary' wording on local government referendum needs to be changed The Queensland Government has written to Federal Local Government Minister Anthony Albanese over its concerns on the wording on of the referendum question. LOCAL Government Minister David Crisafulli has warned a push to recognise local councils in the Constitution could spell the "death" of local government. A referendum will be held on federal election day in September when voters will decide whether to formally recognise local government in the Constitution. The reform aims to ensure Canberra has the power to directly fund councils through programs like Roads to Recovery without stepping out of its jurisdiction. But Mr Crisafulli warned the wording of the referendum question left the door open for the federal government to exercise more power over councils. The minister last week made a "last-ditch attempt" and plea to Federal Local Government Minister Anthony Albanese to re-word the question to remove any ambiguity. We want to see local government recognised in the Constitution. We want to see the ability for Canberra to direct fund local government, but it has to be direct funding without control," Mr Crisafulli said. Unfortunately, our advice clearly shows that the question allows not just direct funding but direct control. We do not want Canberra's tentacles on our local councils. We do not want this to be a Trojan Horse for Canberra running everything in our local communities. Mr Crisafulli said the way the question was currently worded was "scary." Local government is a pure and innocent level of government. It is the type of government closest to the people. It cannot be the puppet of someone in Canberra because Canberra does not understand local communities. And the way the question is worded at the moment is, quite frankly, scary. The Australian Local Government Association is pushing for constitutional recognition following two High Court cases which cast doubt over the Commonwealth's power to directly deliver money to councils. Without formal recognition, the ALGA warns that funding programs such as Roads to Recovery may be technically invalid. The Federal Government is funding the "Yes" campaign to the tune of $10 million and only $500,000 for the "No" campaign. Mr Crisafulli said the Queensland Government would support the referendum if the wording changes were made. "Remove the doubt and we can all hold hand and sing Kumbaya and get on with life," he said. But at the moment, what is happening is the wording is such that the Federal Government could control local councils, and I say to you that is a very scary prospect for someone who loves local government like I do.