Facilitator of the Group Session that looked at the Role of Local Government at the recent Melbourne Convention, Peter McMullin, Deputy Lord Mayor of the City of Melbourne, asked delegates to consider where Local Government fits in our Federal system at present and where it might progress after the Melbourne Convention.
During the ensuing discussion, consensus was readily reached that Local Government should have recognition in the Australian Constitution. However, the need for Local Government to have a higher profile and an improved image was also seen as a prerequisite for recognition.
Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Ivan Deveson, a newcomer to Local Government ranks, said that, without a doubt Local Government is the most difficult leadership he has experienced in 40 years of leadership, yet the most interesting, and thus far a source of great pride.
However, he pointed to the fact that with a ‘flick of the wrist’ the State Government can say to a Council, you have to go. The Lord Mayor referred to the Victorian Premier being asked last year by talkback host, Neil Mitchell, ‘Is it time to sack the Melbourne City Council?’ This drew a response from the Premier, ‘Not yet’!
Constitutional recognition to entrench Local Government in our system of government will remove this anomaly, where one sphere of government is able to dismiss another duly elected sphere. It will also enshrine Local Government as a partner in both the development of policy and delivery of programs.
However, addressing the difficulty of Constitutional change, particularly meeting the requirements for a successful referendum, must be a priority for Local Government.
As well as achieving bipartisan support from the major political parties, people need to clearly recognise the importance and vital role Local Government plays as the ‘gateway of democracy’.
People must be made aware of how they can use this ‘gateway’ to participate in decision making and program delivery at the local level and, most importantly, see that their Council is delivering value for money.
If Local Governments across the nation fail to sell this to their residents, then the potential for another failure at referendum looms large.
There is a propensity among those directly involved in Local Government to believe that the important role and functions, and difficulty of stretching limited resources, is clearly understood in the general community. This is not always the case.
When well known businessman, and Melbourne Convention delegate, Lindsay Fox still measures value for money by the six times he puts his bin out to be emptied at his holiday property, divided into his rate bill, compared to doing the same with his weekly collection at his permanent address, then Local Government has a long way to go in educating the community that in today’s society it is much more than merely roads, rates and rubbish!
Lindsay Fox is a self made businessman, with extensive interests in the corporate sector. He is also well known for his community involvement, particularly with Bill Kelty in promoting jobs for regional Australia. If Lindsay Fox cannot see the value and extensive role Local Government plays in his day to day life, then who can?
