Questions on Notice: Local Government

MR DAVIS — To ask the Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade (for the Minister for Local Government): In relation to the independent Local Government Electoral Review Panel which carried out a comprehensive review of Victoria’s local government electoral system and made 55 recommendations for reform, do you plan to implement all or any of the report’s recommendations and, if so, will this be done in time for the 2016 local government elections.

ANSWER:

I acknowledge the Member for Southern Metropolitan Region’s question concerning potential reforms to the local government election system prior to the forthcoming council general elections scheduled for October 2016.

As Minister for Local Government I am committed to ensuring council electoral processes are fair and transparent.

The Government has a well publicized agenda for the Local Government portfolio. That agenda received a mandate at the previous election.

The Government will bring Legislation to the house that implements that agenda at the appropriate times.