Intro
This permits local governments to impose rates and charges to landowners in their local government area.
Significant penalties apply to people who refuse or fail to pay rates and charges.
Local government has no legal validity because it is not mentioned in the Commonwealth Constitution.
A referendum in 1988 to recognise local government in the Constitution failed.
There is no obstacle in the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act to prevent State Parliaments from legislating to create, empower and regulate local government. All States have done so.
There is no requirement for a referendum to recognise the validity of local government in Western Australia.
The Western Australian Constitution is not valid; therefore, its recognition of local government is invalid; therefore, local government itself has no lawful basis.
Sections 106 and 108 of the Commonwealth Constitution validate the continuation of State Constitutions and laws as they existed at the time of formation of the Commonwealth. Additionally, these sections preserve the ongoing right of State Parliaments to amend those Constitutions and laws.
This right has also been confirmed by the Supreme Court of Western Australia.
The Constitution Act 1889, which relates to the Western Australian Constitution, was lawfully amended to provide for a system of local government throughout the State under section 52.
The legal existence of local government was further confirmed through the passing of the Western Australian Local Government Act 1995.
Council has no right to impose rates because the Commonwealth Constitution only gives the power to tax to the Federal and State Governments.
The Commonwealth Constitution does not contain any obstacle to the levy of taxes by the States, including on property.
State Parliaments have the power to confer this function on other bodies through legislation.
Through the Local Government Act 1995, Part 6, the Western Australian Parliament has conferred upon local government the power to levy and collect property tax in the form of rates.
The High Court case of Pape v Commissioner of Taxation (2009) did not refer to either the States’ power to tax, or local government’s power to levy rates and charges.
Councils are created as bodies corporate, not governments.
Therefore, they cannot levy taxes
Councils are created as statutory bodies corporate under the Local Government Act 1995.
Such bodies can perform any function and exercise any power conferred on them by the Act which creates them.
The Local Government Act 1995 provides local governments with a range of powers, including the ability to levy rates.
The Western Australian Constitution provides that local governments are a distinct and essential tier of government. Therefore, they do not need to enter into contracts with individuals.
Councils have the lawful power to impose and enforce rates as outlined above.
People who fail to pay their rates may be liable for considerable penalties, including:
Section 6.76 of the Local Government Act 1995 allows for objections to rates notices where there is an error in the rate record:
There is no ability to appeal within the Act based on valuation, the rate in the dollar, or percentage of annual increase (provided the correct process to set rates has been followed by the local government).
However, many local governments have a policy to cover circumstances of financial hardship and can arrange a payment plan with individuals to avoid penalties.
Any person wishing to challenge a rates notice should speak to their local government first. If pursuing the matter further, seeking independent legal advice is recommended.
The material contained in this document is based on departmental views and its interpretation of relevant legislation. It does not purport nor is it intended to constitute legal advice. The department expressly disclaims any liability to any person in respect of anything done or not done as a result of the contents of this publication.