LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The Hon. S.G. WADE (14:36): By way of further supplementary, in the original answer the minister referred to numerous discussions between the government and the Local Government Association, and he led us to believe that that involved him talking to the CEO of the Local Government Association and the President. Can he assure the house that those discussions involved discussion of the ICAC bill as it impacts on the Local Government Act?

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (14:37): I have had discussions from the very beginning—from the moment I decided to terminate the Burnside investigation—with the LGA and with the President of the LGA, Mr McHugh, and we made quite clear then that we would be working together to ensure that the appropriate changes to the Local Government Act, with regard to governance, codes of conduct and other related issues, would be done as a joint operation. We have done that and we are continuing with this; it is a work in progress. We are looking forward to the outcome of the discussion paper that I sent out to get the views of the councils.

In addition, I have actually attended councils. I take the view that, while I respect the LGA and its role as the union covering the councils, I also think it is important that I actually get out to the councils as well so that I can talk to them in their environment. I have done that quite extensively and encouraged them to make sure there is plenty of feedback in relation to this discussion paper. By the time action is required, the consultation and input from councils would have been very extensive.