I was privileged to attend two motivating events last week. Congratulations to the Australian Local Government Women’s Association (ALGWA) Victoria on their successful luncheon at Parliament House last Thursday, celebrating the achievements of women in local government. Ministers Jeanette Powell and Mary Wooldridge both addressed the luncheon as did Shadow Minister for Women Danielle Green and Member for Western Metropolitan region Colleen Hartland. You can read Minister Powell’s media release about the event here. On Friday I was delighted to be a guest of Reconciliation Victoria at The Long Walk Women’s Luncheon. This is always an inspirational luncheon and Friday’s was no exception, with a speech from special guest Jessie Mabo, daughter of the late Eddie Mabo, who achieved such enormous change for our nation, after he and several other Meriam people of the Murray Islands in the Torres Strait began action in the High Court of Australia seeking confirmation of their traditional land rights in May 1982. Ballot packs have reached letterboxes for the majority of Victorian ratepayers for postal elections – so candidates you can now take some ‘time out’ to have a look at the dedicated on-line version of the Good Governance Guide which was launched last Monday. The site has already received a huge amount of traffic and we are confident that it will be well-used by councillors and officers across Victoria. You can also view the VLGA’s election e-bulletins here.
Maree McPherson
Chief Executive Officer
Keeping you up to date
Local government legislation miscellaneous amendments
The Victorian Parliament is still considering the Local Government Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous) Bill 2012. Amongst a range of controversial changes, the Bill requires a CEO to notify the Mayor and Council when they become aware of a complaint about their conduct. Last week the Legislative Council passed the Bill with an amendment to exclude frivolous or vexatious complaints against a CEO from this requirement. The Legislative Assembly will consider the amended Bill during the next sitting week later in October.
Smoking banned at patrolled beaches
The Victorian government has introduced legislation to ban smoking between the flags at patrolled beaches. Smoking will be prohibited between the flags at patrolled beaches and within a 50-metre radius of the flags. Once implemented, the ban will limit exposure to second hand smoke, reduce litter of cigarette butts and denormalise smoking. Whilst we would have preferred the legislation to go much further, the VLGA anticipates this is an important first step toward a uniform approach to smoking in public places.
Candidate Survey
The VLGA is conducting a survey of candidates in the 2012 Local Government Elections. We are keen to know more about who is running for local government and what issues are the focus of their campaigns so far. The short survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete and is open until Wednesday 17 October.
VLGA Director Governance at ACELG research forum
On Thursday, VLGA Director Governance Ron Exiner attended an Australian Centre for Excellence in Local Government (ACELG) research forum in Brisbane. Ron chaired the Political Governance session which featured recent papers from Graham Sansom on the role of the mayor and John Martin on mayor/CEO relationships as well as the current project on political governance and leadership in which the VLGA is partnering with ACELG. There was some very interesting discussion following the presentations which included the impact of directly elected mayors and whether gender issues play a role in the quality of working relationships. The VLGA believes that ACELG is doing very important work in the area of local government reform and we intend our partnership with them will lead to new ideas and further conversations in the sector about the future of local government.
A Parliamentary Committee on constitutional recognition?
Late last week we also received news that Federal Minister for Local Government, Simon Crean has advised the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) that the Government is negotiating a motion to be introduced to the Parliament for the establishment of a Parliamentary Committee to consider the timing of a referendum on constitutional recognition of local government. More information can be seen here.
Action plan to address violence against women
The Victorian Government announced its Action plan to address violence against women last week. The action plan covers prevention, early intervention and response measures and includes new and expanded initiatives worth $7.9 million.
2012 VLGA Essential Councillor Weekend – ‘Year one… here we go!’
Registrations are coming in and we have limited places – so book early to avoid disappointment. We are offering local governments the opportunity to book a couple of ‘nameless’ places now at the early-bird rate before this month’s elections, as we realise you won’t know exactly who might be attending. See the VLGA events section below for more details.
First-stage applications close THIS WEEK - John Jago Good Governance Award 2012
The John Jago Good Governance Award is awarded annually to a VLGA member local government or community group (or groupings) whose governance and leadership practices have led to improved public participation in decision-making. Applications for the 2012 Award are now invited. There is a two-stage process and first-stage applications should be submitted to the VLGA by Friday 19 October. Applications can be emailed or sent as hard copy. Further information can be found on our website or by contacting Ron Exiner, Director Governance, on 9349 7999 or via email.
ALGWA National Conference 8-10 November, Ipswich, Qld
The ALGWA National Conference is being held on 8-10 November and features speakers including Thérèse Rein, founder & Managing Director – Ingeous, The Hon Margaret Reynolds Chair – ACELG, Mayor Lynette De Santis – Tiwi Island Shire Council, Tim Eltham – Ipswich City Council, and many more. The ALGWA conference is for all women and men in local government - whether elected officials or council staff. Register for the conference here.
Events for your diary
VLGA Events
VLGA end of term ‘thank you’ for member councillors
Thursday 18 October, 6-8pm
The Leveson, 46 Leveson St, North Melbourne
VLGA member councillors are invited to join us for a barbeque dinner and an evening of networking, and to enable us to say ‘thanks’ for your commitment to local government and your community. This is a free event for VLGA member councillors. Register by emailing TODAY!
November Leading Edge Forum: Meet the new councillors
Thursday 1 November, 6-9pm
Carlton
Join us and our special guest The Hon Jeanette Powell MP, Minister for Local Government, who will welcome newly elected councillors to their four-year term. Register online or phone (03) 9349 7999.
2012 VLGA Essential Councillor Weekend – ‘Year one… here we go!’
23-24 November
The Wyndham Resort, Torquay
Numbers are limited and there is an early bird discount for those who get in quickly. You can download the program and registration form from our website. These two days will feature a number of expert-led practical workshops and networking opportunities relevant to how councillors approach the first year of the new council term. To find out more contact Sarah Colgan, Member Resources Officer via email or telephone (03) 9349 7983.
Other Events
People’s Food Plan Public Forum
Sunday 21 October, 2-4.30pm
Ground Floor, 60 Leicester St, Carlton
Australia needs a People's Food Plan (PFP) that aims to supply affordable, healthy, fresh, locally grown whole foods to everyone. Be part of building a food justice system for Australia to help ensure family farmers have a secure future, can restore the health to soils and water and provide good, nutritious food for all. To RSVP contact becnissen@gmail.com or neesh@westnet.com.au
Planning for Food – an essential ingredient for Victoria’s Metropolitan Planning Strategy
Friday 9 November, 9.30am-12.30pm
William Angliss, 555 Latrobe St Melbourne
Limited places
This forum is an initiative of the Heart Foundation and Food Alliance, with funding from VicHealth. Access to food is a basic human right, however as our cities grow we are seeing concerning levels of food insecurity within our community. Planning for a strong food economy and a healthy and sustainable food system is becoming critical as we deal with the pressures from population and urban growth. The Food Alliance and the Heart Foundation have prepared the document Planning for Food to inform debate around this topic. This forum offers the opportunity to learn from international and interstate examples of linking planning and food, and also provides the opportunity to hear about local programs informing work here in Victoria. Register for the forum here. For more information email or phone (03) 9321 1537
Thriving Neighbourhoods 2012
12-14 November
Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, Southwharf
Thriving Neighbourhoods is an international conference on emerging approaches to the planning, design and management of local neighbourhoods that are set to radically improve health, social engagement, environmental quality and productivity in communities. As a conference supporter, VLGA members are entitled to significant discounts: up to $260 off the full registration fee.
ECCV 2012 State Conference: Victoria’s Multicultural Identity
Tuesday 20 November
Melbourne Exhibition & Convention Centre
Registrations for Victoria’s Multicultural Identity State Conference are now open. The Conference will bring together government, policy makers, academics, service providers and community leaders to find intelligent solutions to Victoria’s identity challenges.
Systems Thinking in Practice workshop series
20-22 November
Melbourne
The Monash Sustainability Institute (MSI) and partners are pleased to announce an upcoming series of workshops on systems thinking, facilitated by Dr Rosalind Armson and hosted by the Systemic Governance Research Program at MSI. Email for further information.
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