Local Government Reform in the Australian Federation: Too Smart by Half or Genuine Local Democracy

1
Local Government Reform in the Australian
Federation Too Smart by Half or Genuine Local
Democracy?

• Professor John Martin (FLGMA), Director, Centre
  for Sustainable Regional Communities, LaTrobe
  University, Victoria, Australia
  (www.latrobe.edu.au/csrc).

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Introduction

• Local government funding and reform not so
  strange bedfellows in this ongoing saga
• The debate is rarely about ends /purpose
• The focus is always on means /resources

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What is happening now?

• Dramatic reform in Queensland from 156 to 72 in
  six months
• Productivity Commission inquiry how to get
  blood out of a stone
• What reform strategy in NSW? good old
  regulation and one at a time
• Size matters in the NT from 42 to 12 is the
  Ministers desire
• SA and Tassy steady as she goes
• Australian Government Cost shifting Inquiry
• Percy Allen review of Financial sustainability in
  NSW
• PriceWaterhouse Coopers follow up for ALGA

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What is missing from these debates?

• How is local economic performance factored into a
  local governments legitimacy?
• What is the role of the citizen in local
  governance?
• What are the rights and responsibilities of
  citizens? How is this demonstrated?
• Philosophical and conceptual debates avoided

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What questions does this raise?

• Does local government have a legitimate
  role/sustainable future?
• What will be the impact of climate change,
  globalization/secularisation, corporatisation of
  agriculture, advanced communication access and
  lack of skilled staff have on different places
  and the Australian system of local government?
• How will these realities/ distractions limit
  local social and economic development?

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Q As

• john.martin_at_latrobe.edu.au
• www.latrobe.edu.au/CSRC