WHILE the March 24 announcement that the Northern Territory government’s Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill had passed through Parliament has been given the thumbs up by the three councils in the Katherine region, two of the changes should be viewed with trepidation by communities.
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It is difficult to argue that the new ability to fill casual vacancies via appointment, rather than costly by-elections, 18 months out from the end of a term will save councils big dollars.
The problem is that, while the process will have a nominal impact on the bottom lines of local governments, it does not give ratepayers and residents a genuine opportunity to have a say on who will represent them.
In local government, 18 months is a long time - just ask any of the elected members in the region who have expressed dismay at being told their original four-year terms will now not end until August 2017.
More than one elected member I spoke to last week told me that they were already “working on a way to get out” when their four years were up.
What sort of governance will that mentality and the legislative changes leave communities with?
People who do not want to be there and those who view the new ability to circumvent a by-election as an easy way to get a political foothold do not make strong, influential leaders.
The second change that should cause concern is the one that allows councils the flexibility to conduct by-elections themselves.
Most will decide not to for the sake of transparency and public perception, but the government should not have even put the option on the table.
The changes demonstrate that saving money at all costs, not the betterment of communities, is currently the key driver in local government.