Michael Gorey

This takes the prize for the worst media release I’ve seen for a long time.
The headline is unbelievably: “Councils oppose corruption”. Wow! Do they really?
It’s from the Local Government Association of South Australia. It would be more newsworthy, of course, if they supported corruption.
The introduction is nonsenical:
SA’s Local Government Association has expressed confidence in SA’s [...]

I don’t understand why the West Australian Government doesn’t just get on with the job of local government reform.
It’s another example of indecision and lack of leadership. Add it to the list with daylight saving and retail trading hours.
There are too many councils in WA, no argument. (more…)

I’ve published an article by Linette Treasure, of Buchan, in the Alpine Community Forum regarding process implications in local government.
This will interest everyone who’s concerned about the loss of democracy in Victorian councils since the so-called Kennett reforms and subsequent changes by the Labor Government.
The only true democracy in local government now occurs every four [...]

A large chunk of the agenda for this month’s Alpine Shire Council meeting is devoted to Greenhouse emissions and climate protection milestones.
The agenda confirms that council received funding to employ a Greenhouse Officer. I joked here when the job was advertised that I thought it was a horticultural position.
But it’s no joke. Our council is [...]

I’m surprised how little debate there is in Australia about the archaic practices of local government taxation.
Hopefully the new Howard Government will tackle tax reform in a serious manner, as people like our local MP Sophie Panopoulos have been urging.
If this does occur, I would like to see them work with the states to put [...]

The Victorian Government required all local councils to adopt codes of conduct by January 31, 2004. Alpine Shire has recently advertised a draft code of governance, including a code of conduct, for public comment.
I’m very concerned about the draft document and its focus on undermining democratic conventions, particularly the right of public scrutiny.
If people are [...]