The Australian Constitution, the nation’s founding political and legal document, was developed at a series of constitutional conventions in the 1890s and came into effect with the Federation of Australia in 1901. The Constitution sets the basic rules on how governments, and the different arms of government, operate in Australia. Due to historical circumstances, it addresses only the relationships between State Governments, Territories and the Commonwealth. Local government is not mentioned anywhere in the Constitution. 
Australia has changed significantly since Federation in 1901. From time to time, the Australian people are asked to update the Constitution to reflect these changes. The Constitution can only be updated through a referendum, and any proposed change has to achieve what is known as a double majority. That is, it requires a national majority of votes and a majority of votes in a majority of States.
This paper aims to promote discussion on whether local government should be recognised in Australia's Constitution.