By Belinda Nolan
LOCAL councils will be placed under the microscope by a special investigation unit established in the wake of recent council scandals.
Premier John Brumby last week announced plans to set up a Local Government Investigations and Compliance Inspectorate to monitor the activities of Victorian councils following a public outcry over a damning Ombudsman’s report into the former Brimbank Council.
The dedicated unit will be made up of 12 inspectors, headed by a chief municipal inspector who will monitor the state’s 79 councils and police breaches of the Local Government Act.
The inspectorate would have the power to recommend the sacking or suspension of a council in cases of serious misconduct.
Mr Brumby said the reforms would strengthen the government’s ability to prosecute rogue councils and the independence of investigations.
But critics have slammed the move, labelling it a publicity stunt to restore the reputation of local government which has been in tatters since the Ombudsman’s shocking revelations.
Opposition local government spokeswoman Jeanette Powell said rather than introduce new laws, the government should police the laws that already existed.
“Local Government Victoria’s job is to receive these complaints about councils and to respond to them,” Ms Powell said. “It’s a matter of enforcing this, not bringing in new laws.”
Sunshine Residents and Ratepayers Association president Darlene Reilly said the reforms were a half-hearted attempt to combat the scandal and called for stronger measures to be introduced.
Ms Reilly said the government should establish an anti-corruption commission, with over-arching powers to prosecute MPs and government representatives, as well as councils.
“What we need is a body with sweeping powers to follow these complaints all the way to the top,” Ms Reilly said.
MAV President Bill McArthur welcomed the move as a step in the right direction.
“The majority of councils have nothing to fear from this type of scrutiny,” Mr McArthur said.
The inspectorate will conduct audits of local councils to ensure they are complying with governance laws and will investigate breaches of electoral provisions.
It will also have the power to take matters of councillor misconduct to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Star contacted the State Government for further information including where the inspectors will be based but did not receive a response before deadline.
Residents with concerns about their council are being encouraged to contact Ratepayers Victoria President Jack Davis.
Mr Davis said he would air community concerns at the association’s upcoming annual general meeting.
He can be contacted via email at jack_d@iinet.net.au.
