Community Engagement

In reply to Mr TELFER (Flinders) (5 July 2023). (Estimates Committee B)

The Hon. G.G. BROCK (Stuart—Minister for Local Government, Minister for Regional Roads, Minister for Veterans Affairs): I have been advised:

New provisions that provide for a community engagement charter (the charter) in the Local Government Act 1999 (the act) were included in the Statutes Amendment (Local Government Review) Act 2021(the amendment act).

I am advised that as the amendment act contained a wide range of significant amendments to the act, commencement of all changes was stepped to allow councils sufficient time to implement the necessary changes to their policies and operations.

I am advised that it was anticipated that the provisions relating to the charter would commence in November 2022 to coincide with the start of the new council term following the periodic local government elections which were held at that time, along with other reforms including the new conduct management framework for council members.

However, as work proceeded on reforms, it became apparent that councils would not be well positioned to consider and contribute properly to all of these wideranging reforms prior to the 2022 elections.

Accordingly, I raised this with the Local Government Association (LGA) in June 2022 and it was agreed that progress and consultation on the charter would be delayed until after the completion of the 2022 elections.

The elections then highlighted the need to consider further reforms to increase participation in council elections, particularly to increase voter turnout and to increase the number and diversity of people choosing to stand for election.

As I am strongly of the view that participation in council elections reflects people's participation in their council more generally, I have directed the Office of Local Government (OLG) to progress the charter as part of a wider 'Local Government Participations and Elections Review'. I expect that consultation on this review will begin in August 2023.

This review will be conducted by OLG, and costs will be covered by the OLG budget.