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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-05-30 Daily Xml
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LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The Hon. S.G. WADE (14:31): We might be getting the Wiggles mixed up with the Teletubbies, but anyway. I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for State/Local Government Relations a question regarding the Local Government Act.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: The Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Bill was tabled on 2 May 2012. The bill proposes to make the most significant changes to the governance of local government in 15 years, through amendment of the Local Government Act. The changes totally reform the section 272 inquiry processes used in the Burnside council investigation.

The Local Government Act is committed to the Minister for State/Local Government Relations. Under the State-Local Government Relations Agreement, state and local government jointly commit to a legislative protocol which requires agreement with the LGA before the government commences the parliamentary process. My questions are:

1. As the minister responsible for local government and the Local Government Act, what steps did the minister take to consult the Local Government Association on proposed changes to the Local Government Act before the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Bill was tabled?

2. In particular, when did the minister reach agreement with the LGA on the proposed changes to the Local Government Act before the bill was tabled, as required by the intergovernmental agreement?

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (14:32): I want to make sure I get the right answer for you. Here we go; it's all there. I would like to thank the member for his very important questions. The State-Local Government Relations Agreement between the state government and the LGA has been refreshed and was signed by the Premier and the President of the Local Government Association on Thursday 17 May.

The agreement is in two parts: the agreement itself, which sets out principles of engagement between state and local government; and the schedule of priorities which outlines annual priorities for joint action. As Minister for State/Local Government Relations, I witnessed the signing of these two key documents. This agreement has been in place since 2004 and the government takes it very seriously.

The agreement also includes a protocol of consultation between state and local government on legislation that will impact on the sector. As the house would be aware, sometimes the priorities of government and public expectations limit the ability for extensive consultation. In addition, sometimes, of course, we need to agree to disagree.

Nevertheless, I understand there have been numerous discussions with the LGA about the ICAC legislation. I understand the LGA has raised concerns about provisions within the bill pertaining to the impact on the LGA itself. I am in the process of facilitating a meeting between the Attorney-General and the President of the LGA and other elected officials to discuss this matter.

The government is working very closely with the LGA on developing some of the detailed proposal contained in the ICAC bill that will have significant impact on local government, in particular, a mandated code of conduct for council members and council staff. This has involved an extended period of consultation with councils, the LGA and other stakeholders. The President of the LGA and I expect to receiving a briefing on the results of this during June 2012.

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