The Western Australia Local Government Association (WALGA) has demanded an explanation as to why the requirement to declare conflicts of interest has been suspended for the group reviewing the structure of metropolitan Councils.
Earlier this week the Government Gazette published an Order, which effectively cancels out the disqualification for conflict of interests by members of the Local Government Advisory Board (LGAB).
WALGA claims it was not advised of the change by the Local Government Minister and there has been no media statement issued in explanation from his office.
WALGA President Mayor Troy Pickard has written to the Minister requesting explanation for the temporary removal of the conflict of interest provision, which underpins governance in the sector.
“It may well be that there is an entirely appropriate rationale as to why LGAB members do now not have to disclose conflicts of interest while discussing metropolitan reform but in the interests of transparency this explanation needs to be made public.
“For example, I imagine the composition of the LGAB as predominately comprising Local Government representatives may be unworkable if all associations need to be declared and participants then vacate discussions.
“However rather than speculation, the Minister needs to provide an explanation as the provision of declaring conflicts of interest is a critical requirement of governance within the sector.”
Mayor Pickard said it was disappointing that the Local Government Minister had not advised the sector of the change or consulted prior to ensure there was no confusion.
“It is a significant decision to suspend such a pivotal requirement and prior advice would remove any prospect of speculation as to the Minister’s motivation.”
