The local government (LG) sector provides a range of essential and valued services to its community – much more than simply “roads, rates and rubbish”.
Good governance and transparency are central to LG entities that are performing well and maintaining the confidence and support of their community.
Given the diversity of communities currently, LG entities ranging from large city councils to very small regions, there is a need for maturity in governance and administration, and there are varying risks to service delivery and resource management. Constituents are able see the risks in the interactions and findings in the financial, information systems and performance audits, when they happen, and via the complaints and referrals the State Government. The Parliament too should see those risks in the submissions it receives, and the issues raised with members in their electorates.
While each LG entities are responsible for their own good governance, the Department of Local Government is charged with regulating and supporting the LG sector. It has a role for the LG sector that is, similar to central agencies such as the Treasury and Finance in the State sector, which includes for example advising on, promulgating and overseeing the financial framework.
Like all State government entities, the Local Government has limited resources, and implementing the legislative reform agenda should be a priority. However, clearly the Department’s use of its limited resources is not underpinned by a good understanding of risk and clear objectives for the LG sector. Moreover, its performance in regulating and supporting the sector does not currently reflect the expectations of LG entities and their communities.
One impact of this has been an increase in reactive regulation – investigations and inquiries – which has absorbed resources at the expense of preventative earlier interventions such as education, guidance and monitoring. This is not cost-effective, and the Department needs to rebalance its regulatory activities if it is to make a significant contribution to improving good governance in LG entities.
In one sense it is encouraging that the Department has commenced steps to address some of the flaws in Tasmania’s LG Act. In another it is very concerning that all the signals thus far point to more and more of the same with patches. Constituents want the Department to establish a more effective LG regulatory framework and help it to target resources to areas of greatest risk and impact.
Clearly, the Department is not targeting its regulation and support activities to key risks and it does not have a structured approach to gathering intelligence and using it to understand key risks in the sector. Clearly, the Department cannot see that Local Government in Tasmania is no longer fit-for-purpose.
What Do Constituents Want?
- The opportunity to participate in their governance and their placemaking!
- A governance model that is truly trustworthy, accountable and transparent at all times – not just at election time!
- A governance model that included them in the development of strategic policy determinations!
- A governance model that fits 21st C opportunities in real world ways – health, safety, fiscal sustainability, etc.!
- A governance model that facilitates young working people to participate in citizen’s initiatives!
- A governance model that is well served by appropriate 21st C expert advice!
- A governance model that delivers upon 21st C aspirations and needs!
If you think that you are not getting these things, then
PLEASE DO NOT VOTE FOR AN INCUMBENT!
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