In each edition we feature the views of a Local Government Association president. The following is from Councillor Troy Pickard, President of the Western Australia Local Government Association.
Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress and working together is success.
These are the words of the industrialist Henry Ford that the WA Local Government Association hopes will encapsulate the renewed working relationship between State and Local Governments in WA.
Last month WA Premier Colin Barnett took the decisive step to formalise the consultation and communication processes between the two spheres of government.
Along with State Local Government Minister John Castrilli, the Premier’s commitment in signing the Western Australian State Local Government Agreement heralds the start of a new era in improved collaboration between the two spheres of government and in delivering services to the community.
Before almost 600 Local Government representatives from across Western Australia, the Premier and the Minister signed the Agreement with industry bodies WALGA and the LGMA (WA branch).
The Agreement sets out key principles for greater consultation between the two spheres of government; an opportunity for regular key strategic meetings and most importantly sets the stage for a new way of working together in a positive framework.
I see its signing at the recent WALGA Local Government Convention as the third part of the earlier Henry Ford quote – the part about working together for success. The quote really defines the recent political history of Western Australia.
For example the first part – the coming together, the beginning – I believe was in the support of the first of the recent State Labor governments with the then Premier Gallop implementing the State and Local Government Partnership Agreement.
Unfortunately the second part – the staying together for progress – was hindered somewhat by the subsequent Carpenter Government in declining repeated invitations to recommit to the agreement.
Fortunately the current Barnett State Government has the foresight to realise the potential to the community of an optimum working relationship between State and Local Government.
With greater consultation and communication it should be expected that important initiatives and legislative changes will be implemented sooner, and with better alignment with community expectations.
Undoubtedly Local Government is the sphere of government closest to the community both in providing of most of the services and facilities of our everyday environment and in drawing its members from the very neighbourhoods it represents. It makes sense for the State Government to want to engage the community resource, insight and influence that is Local Government.
The Agreement is also significant in that it is something that WALGA had been trying to achieve for almost two years. When I became WALGA President back in April, it was a personal priority to finalise the Agreement and build relationships between State and Local Government.
The Agreement is a significant outcome for the sector in the transparency and involvement that it affords Local Government as part of the State Government policy process. Its signing has brought renewed optimism to State and Local Government relations that can only be positive for the community and our State at large.
Imagine the possibilities of State and Local Governments working together to get the best outcomes for the people we are elected to represent. It is what our communities deserve.
In closing I am reminded of another thing that Henry Ford said, and that was: “Don’t find fault, find a remedy”. I believe this Agreement between State and Local Government will achieve just that.
