❓ Mrs. O'Malley asks about the McGowan government's local government reforms, focusing on dispute resolution, red tape reduction, transparency, and accountability. The Minister responds by highlighting the reforms' significance, addressing dysfunction, creating a watchdog, and streamlining processes for small businesses.
AnsweredQoN 730Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM
730. Mrs L.M. O'MALLEY to the Minister for Local
Government:
I
refer to the McGowan Labor government's commitment to work with local
government to deliver better outcomes for ratepayers, small businesses
and the wider community.
(1) Can the
minister outline to the house how the proposed reforms to the local government
sector announced today will address disputes and dysfunction within the local
government sector?
(2) Can the
minister advise the house how these reforms will also help cut red tape and
improve transparency and accountability?
730. Mrs L.M. O'MALLEY to the Minister for Local
Government:
I
refer to the McGowan Labor government's commitment to work with local
government to deliver better outcomes for ratepayers, small businesses
and the wider community.
(1) Can the
minister outline to the house how the proposed reforms to the local government
sector announced today will address disputes and dysfunction within the local
government sector?
(2) Can the
minister advise the house how these reforms will also help cut red tape and
improve transparency and accountability?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I want to thank the member for Bicton. I am deeply
proud that the McGowan government is introducing the most significant
reforms to the Local Government Act in the last 25 years. It is only a Labor
government that delivers true reform in this
regard. We only have to remember the shocking and dismal performance of the
previous coalition's shambolic forced amalgamations that failed to
deliver anything to local communities except high costs and bills to
ratepayers. We are undertaking a very pragmatic reform that deals with the
heart of the critical issues that are facing local government. We are trying to
create a better system of greater transparency and accountability to
ratepayers. The key focus is dealing with dysfunction and toxic relationships
in local government. We are creating a powerful watchdog with sweeping powers—an
independent chief inspector who will be able to investigate, manage complaints
and undertake real action. It will be backed in by a team of specialist
monitors who will go in early when there are problems to deal with those issues. They may have expertise in
financial matters, human resources, governance or mediation . We know
that better tools are needed to intervene when local governments go wrong,
because no-one wins from this. Small business does not win from this, our local
economies do not win from this, staff in those
organisations do not win from this and the local community does not win from
this. These are signature and significant reforms that will create real
change.
We are also driving to cut red tape
for small business. There will be greater standardisation. These things
actually mean important things to small business, because they have to deal
with local governments; they have to seek approvals. We will be streamlining al
fresco dining, minor signage and crossovers—these things actually do
matter. We will also be standardising across the local government sector in a range
of areas so that no matter what area of local government people are in, they
can expect the same processes and the same channels. Again, this is
particularly important for small business.
I say this: these are significant
reforms. They will take time to implement. It will be a phased approach. But let me be very clear: this will mean better
local government in Western Australia, better oversight and better
transparency, and I believe it will rebuild confidence in the local government
sector.
proud that the McGowan government is introducing the most significant
reforms to the Local Government Act in the last 25 years. It is only a Labor
government that delivers true reform in this
regard. We only have to remember the shocking and dismal performance of the
previous coalition's shambolic forced amalgamations that failed to
deliver anything to local communities except high costs and bills to
ratepayers. We are undertaking a very pragmatic reform that deals with the
heart of the critical issues that are facing local government. We are trying to
create a better system of greater transparency and accountability to
ratepayers. The key focus is dealing with dysfunction and toxic relationships
in local government. We are creating a powerful watchdog with sweeping powers—an
independent chief inspector who will be able to investigate, manage complaints
and undertake real action. It will be backed in by a team of specialist
monitors who will go in early when there are problems to deal with those issues. They may have expertise in
financial matters, human resources, governance or mediation . We know
that better tools are needed to intervene when local governments go wrong,
because no-one wins from this. Small business does not win from this, our local
economies do not win from this, staff in those
organisations do not win from this and the local community does not win from
this. These are signature and significant reforms that will create real
change.
We are also driving to cut red tape
for small business. There will be greater standardisation. These things
actually mean important things to small business, because they have to deal
with local governments; they have to seek approvals. We will be streamlining al
fresco dining, minor signage and crossovers—these things actually do
matter. We will also be standardising across the local government sector in a range
of areas so that no matter what area of local government people are in, they
can expect the same processes and the same channels. Again, this is
particularly important for small business.
I say this: these are significant
reforms. They will take time to implement. It will be a phased approach. But let me be very clear: this will mean better
local government in Western Australia, better oversight and better
transparency, and I believe it will rebuild confidence in the local government
sector.
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