Local Government Reforms
On Sunday 3 July 2022, the Minister for Local Government Hon. John Carey BA MLA, announced the final package of reforms to the Local Government Act 1995, following a review of public submissions.
The full announcement can be viewed on the Government of Western Australia website.
The reforms are aimed at ensuring local governments better serve residents and ratepayers. The reforms have been crafted in consultation with the local government sector and are the most significant reforms to take place in more than 25 years.
Significant changes proposed by the Minister include:
- the introduction of a new Inspector of Local Government, supported by an Inspectorate, which would investigate and oversee complaints;
- the introduction of Local Government Monitors, who can be appointed by the Inspector to assist in resolving ongoing issues;
- tougher penalties, including three-month suspensions for Councillors who are guilty of serious breaches of the act, and 10-year bans from local government elected office for anyone suspended three times;
- mandatory recording of council meetings, and live streaming for larger tier one and two local governments;
- tighter rules and clearer definitions regarding confidential meetings; and
- introduction of parental and medical leave entitlements for elected members.
To ensure that key election related reforms are in place before the 2023 local government elections, the amendments to the Act were divided into two tranches. The first tranche was passed by Parliament on 11 May 2023, and focuses on electoral reform.
The second tranche will focus on the establishment of the new Local Government Inspector and the introduction of local government monitors for early intervention.
Further information regarding the local government reforms is available on the Department of Local Government website.
ELECTORAL REFORMS
The key electoral reforms that will be implemented for the October 2023 elections are:
- Introducing optional preferential voting
- Requiring public election of the mayor or president for all larger councils (already in place at the City of Joondalup)
- Changes in representation including aligning the size of councils with the size of population of each local government area (no changes required for the City of Joondalup).
Optional Preferential Voting