Recent actions by the Victorian Government such as proposals for Best Value codes and setting up a Best Value Commission, and its decision to call early elections for Melbourne City Council, has seriously undermined State/Local Government relations.
Buoyed by various policies of the Labor Government, and the agreement reached with Victoria’s three Independent Members of Parliament in regard to Local Government, during the first 12 months of the Bracks Government, Victorian Councils had found, for the most part, that State Ministers and their Departments were displaying a genuine commitment to a partnership approach.
The preamble to ‘Labor’s Plan for Local Government’ stated, ‘Labor respects Local Government as an equal partner and we are determined to see a more ambitious and creative role for Local Government in the future life of our State’.
Furthermore, the Bracks Government’s acceptance of the Independent MP’s Charter in October 1999 included the objective, ‘Improving the relationship and consultative mechanisms between State Government and local Councils and communities – we wish to see evidence that Government recognises that Local Government is a separate democratically elected entity which is responsible primarily to the community it serves’.
Concerned about the State Government running rough shod over Local Government in regard to the proposed operation of Best Value, the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) and the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) met on 15 December.
A motion was passed calling for the establishment of a partnership protocol to address this situation.
A second stronger motion, calling for ceasing further involvement with the Local Government Minister and his Department, was to lie on the table while efforts to develop this protocol took place.
However, the Minister, Bob Cameron, announced on 18 December he intended to introduce legislation that would force Melbourne City Council back to the polls 12 months early.
This led to the VLGA describing State/Local relations to be ‘at its lowest ebb for three years’.
Prior to this, the MAV and VLGA had worked with Melbourne City Council to establish a Facilitation Panel to assist Council with governance difficulties.
The Panel comprised three eminent Victorians, former Premier, Joan Kirner; former Minister, Alan Hunt; and former Mayor, Rev Tim Costello.
“On the same day as the Panel delivered its report, the Minister for Local Government announced his own set of solutions,” said Councillor Julie Hansen, President VLGA.
“This caught the Council, Panel and peak Local Government bodies totally by surprise.”
The VLGA has written to the Premier, Steve Bracks, outlining these concerns and seeking an early meeting to discuss a process for implementing the Government’s policy for Local Government to be an equal partner with the State Government in the growth and development of Victoria.
