Maitland will support an investigation into abolishing State governments in favour of a two-tier system when the issue is raised at this month’s Local Government Conference.

Lake Macquarie City Council will put a motion to the conference for a review into the Australian Constitution to examine the elimination of State governments, to be replaced by a Federal Government supported by a system of regional governments.

The suggestion follows on from defence minister and Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon, who made a similar point in his speech to the inaugural Edmund Barton Lecture earlier this year.

Paterson MP Bob Baldwin had also called for a review of Federal and State relations with a view to abolishing the middle tier.

Maitland Mayor Peter Blackmore – a former State MP –said he was open to the suggestion.

But he said any final decision would have to be made by the people through a referendum.

“There is no doubt we appear to be overgoverned,” he said.

“But there are 142 councils (in NSW) and, to be fair, we would have to look at amalgamations of councils to reduce the number of councillors to take over the role of State Government.

“But I would want to make sure it’s not just a power grab.

“I’m more than prepared to say let’s have a look at it. I would support it on that level.

“Let’s look at what it would involve, what it would cost and what would have to be done.”

Lake Macquarie council will put the motion at the conference, to be held at Broken Hill from October 25 to 29, with an aim to provide a more efficient system of government.

It said the Business Council of Australia estimated the duplication between the three tiers of government costs the Australian economy $9 billion a year.

Maitland MP Frank Terenzini also supported public discussion on the topic.

But he said moving ahead to abolish the State governments would “completely wipe away the system of Federation”.

“The starting point is for the Federal Government, supported by the States and community groups, to really commit to an education program Australia-wide about how the Constitution is set up, why it was set up in that way, and what’s changed,” he said.

“I’ve found there are a few people out there who don’t really know how it works.

“Without that knowledge, we can’t have good, informed debate.”