Eleventh hour deferral of amalgamation proposal
The Local Government Association of the Northern Territory (LGANT) held its General Meeting in Alice Springs on 27-28 June. The Territory Minister for Local Government, Richard Lim, outlined to delegates proposed arrangements for the formation of the new Tiwi Islands Local Government.
Now three years down the track of its reform agenda, in the first amalgamation under this process, three Tiwi Councils were scheduled to form a new regional body on I July.
“After extensive consultation, any change will be too soon for some people,” the Minister said.
He added that the constitution document, forming the new body, has compromises which he described as ‘being for the greater good’.
“Who agrees with everything in the Australian Constitution?” the Minister asked. “Yet we are all Australians and proud of it.”
The Minister described the Tiwi Islands proposal as unique to Local Government in Australia.
“We will establish a structure of governance at the regional level,” he said. “It will have a clear power to operate as a Local Government with the same status as any other in Australia.”
Delegates raised a number of concerns with the Minister over the different approach being taken in forming the proposed new regional body. These included the fact that the three current Councils, Pirlangimpi, Nguiu and Milikapiti, being abolished and replaced by Community Management Boards.
The Boards will elect members from the community and then appoint a total of nine persons to the Tiwi Islands Local Government. A further eight members will be appointed by the Lands Council. A Chief Executive and staff would then be employed. This indirect election of representatives for the new Council, and the appointment of others, is a major concern for LGANT. It has been described by LGANT as a ‘non democratic management system’.
The Minister noted that another unique aspect of the Tiwi proposal is the establishment of the position of Chair for meetings of the Tiwi Islands Local Government. The notion is that this will ensure one group cannot dominate debate within the body.
“The President will be elected as its head but not be in a position to stifle debate,” Richard Lim said.
However, the question was raised, is this emulating the ‘Speaker of the House’, and, if so, how is this position to be filled, and what guarantees the independence of the ‘Chair’?
With the Minister accepting at the General Meeting that one of the three Councils requires more time to fully consider the merger, he has since deferred the proposal indefinitely to allow further discussions and consultation.
LGANT has welcomed the eleventh hour decision by the Minister not to force through the proposal on 1 July.
“The Minister’s decision allows everyone breathing space and the time to address the issues bothering people set out in motions passed at the Alice Springs General Meeting,” said LGANT Chief Executive Officer, Jeff Hoare.
