Local Government reforms introduced to WA Parliament

The Local Government Amendment Bill 2023 has today been introduced into Parliament to continue to action the most extensive local government reforms in more than 25 years.
  • Most significant changes to local government sector in more than 25 years
  • Tranche One focusing on electoral reforms ahead of the October ordinary local government elections

The Local Government Amendment Bill 2023 has today been introduced into Parliament to continue to action the most extensive local government reforms in more than 25 years.

The Bill will focus on electoral reforms and will be considered by Parliament to allow key changes to be implemented for the October 2023 Ordinary Elections.

The first tranche of the local government reforms will strengthen local democracy and provide greater transparency and accountability by:

  • introducing optional preferential voting, bringing local government elections more in line with State and Federal elections;
  • requiring public election of a Mayor or President for all larger councils;
  • abolishing the use of wards for smaller local governments;
  • aligning the size of councils with the size of the population of each local government area;
  • enabling reforms to the owners and occupiers roll to prevent the use of 'sham leases', addressing critical findings of the City of Perth Inquiry;
  • setting State-wide caretaker periods during ordinary council elections;
  • setting standardised council meeting procedures;
  • mandating live streaming and recording of council meetings;
  • establishing mandated communications agreements between council members and the local government administration;
  • enabling reforms to require all local governments to publish information through online registers, including registers that disclose information about local government leases, grants, and goods and services contracts; and
  • introducing new requirements for the publication of performance indicators and results for all local government Chief Executive Officers, with provision for limited exemptions for sensitive matters.

Work on a second tranche of additional legislation to deliver further reforms - including the establishment of the new Local Government Inspector and the introduction of local government monitors for early intervention is continuing in consultation with the local government sector.

Comments attributed to Local Government Minister John Carey:

"These are the most significant reforms to the local government sector in more than 25 years.

"Our reform agenda is clear - we are strengthening the transparency, accountability and efficiency of local governments, and this set of electoral reforms will enable fairer local democracy and community engagement.

"I would like to recognise and thank all the local governments who have been working to complete ward and representation reviews and changing the size or structure of their council in a proactive manner.

"We will continue to engage with the sector on all aspects of the reforms to get the details right before implementing these significant changes."

Minister's office - 6552 5300


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