Council & Politics
11 May, 2026
Open letter: Fixing Labor’s local government mess
"The Local Government Act is less a framework for good governance but more a convenient instrument for ensuring councils obey the government’s political edicts."
By BEV McARTHUR
OVER Labor’s 12 years in power, they have had a revolving door of local government ministers.
While I congratulate Paul Hamer MP on his recent appointment to the role, he inherits a State engineered mess and a change of minister won’t fix the problems.
Dear Minister Hamer,
With nearly two weeks in the job, I am sure you will have discovered the local government sector finds itself in a state-engineered mess.
The Local Government Act is less a framework for good governance but more a convenient instrument for ensuring councils obey the government’s political edicts.
Meanwhile, cost shifting has become something of a pastime. Councils have been handed responsibility for an ever-expanding list of state initiatives - from the Emergency Services Tax to the purple bin and everything in between.
Rural councils are being asked to do more with less, with unfunded funding constrained and essential infrastructure - roads, bridges, and community facilities - slipping into disrepair.
After a long list of ministers in this portfolio, it is clear that nothing will change under Labor.
But Minister, if your tenure is to mark anything more than a change of name on the ministerial door, I would encourage you to prioritise a few practical matters:
Clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of local government.
Ending the practice of cost shifting and restoring financial sustainability particularly for rural councils.
Encouraging operational efficiency within councils so that they deliver value-for-money services.
Returning local authority to where it belongs - ratepayers and their elected councillors - not bureaucrats and state ministers.
Should you fail to deliver on these goals, Victorian ratepayers will again be left to pay the price through higher rates and charges, poorer infrastructure and services, and the further destruction of genuine local democracy.
Bev McArthur is the Member for Western Victoria Region.
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