In each edition we feature the views of a Local Government Association President. The following is from Councillor Beth Davidson, President of the Victorian Local Governance Association.
Eyes of Councillors and Mayors across Australia are on the Victorian State Government’s Councillor Remuneration Review Panel, which could have implications for all. As we enter the most critical stage of our Fair Deal For All Councillors Campaign, some of the VLGA’s research and submission will be of interest.
Unlike the last review in 2000, there is strong agreement across sector peaks and elected representatives that a quick fix is not adequate this time around.
People are now recognising that the future sustainability of local democracy hangs on more diverse representation around Council tables.
Our Campaign is therefore aimed at those who cannot afford to stand for election, rather than those who can. We’ve set our 22 Recommendations within a wider social and economic context because it is impossible to ignore the fact that Australians have less time to commit to community service.
Family and paid work balance used to be the ‘barbecue stopper’. Yet our surveys reveal many skilled and experienced Councillors are about to ‘take the barbie aprons off’ and ‘put the tongs down’, and walk away from public life.
As Victorians move towards four year terms and a common election date in November next year, our research shows candidates who are young, on low to middle incomes, culturally diverse, female, and from small business and professional backgrounds will decline rather than increase.
Our campaign also strongly argues for a direct link with Members of Parliament. As Peter Costello recently said, we are never off duty. Whether we’re out shopping, meeting with community groups, dropping our kids off to school, or in the formal meetings, the roles are so similar that it’s only fair our remuneration be linked, including access to superannuation.
Councillor roles and workloads are also a key part of our research, which highlights the inadequacy of previous data counting only meeting attendance.
Our more detailed research shows that 80 per cent of Mayors and Councillors spend in excess of 33.6 hours a week on their elected representative duties, not 30 hours or less, as previously thought.
A final aim of our campaign is to tackle the ‘volunteer’ label that has dogged Local Governments for decades. Candidates stand voluntarily but once elected, we have mandatory responsibilities we cannot walk away from, as other ‘volunteers’ can.
For more details of our campaign and a copy of our interim submission ‘The Sustainable Price of Democracy’ visit our website at www.vlga.org.au
