Warning for councils on CCTV data risks

A privacy expert is calling for a national review by councils of the public safety benefits of CCTV cameras after an audit found surveillance data were vulnerable to privacy breaches.  

5 October, 2018

New gender council has local government in its sights

Independent body set to partner with councils to help get more women into elected and executive roles.

20 September, 2018

Next federal election will be fought ‘on local issues,’ say councils

Partnerships with local governments and an overhaul of funding are among 12 ways parties can deliver for local communities, according to a new campaign. 

18 September, 2018

Councils welcome streamlined grants

A shake-up of the council grants system by the Queensland Government will streamline funding in line with key state priorities. 

17 September, 2018

Bullying endemic in councils, Fair Work turns staff away

There are calls for reform of a legal loophole that sees council staff affected by bullying denied access to the Fair Work Commission.

11 September, 2018

Councils becoming active on housing: survey

More than half of local governments have a housing strategy or plan, according to new research that “challenges many preconceptions” around the role of councils in the area.

10 September, 2018

Waste industry calls for tax shake-up on recyclables

As the Commonwealth works on a new national waste policy there is growing pressure for Australia to follow France’s lead and lower tax rates on recycled materials.

30 August, 2018

Model sets higher bar for digital local government

Councils would dramatically ramp up their e-government efforts by adopting a multichannel approach and working closer with third parties under a proposed framework.

28 August, 2018

New ministry signals Commonwealth’s policy direction

Government’s new frontbench points to population management, energy prices and immigration as priorities.

28 August, 2018

PM changes ‘incredibly disruptive’ to progress  

Australia’s incessant leadership coups are profoundly impacting the country’s ability to tackle its long-term challenges, experts say.

28 August, 2018

Bridge collapses ‘likely’ as infrastructure decay worsens

A Genoa-style infrastructure failure will happen if governments continue to neglect Australia’s ageing bridges, engineer warns.

28 August, 2018

Council CEOs ‘hung out to dry’ on stress burden

Financial constraints and rising expectations are impacting the mental wellbeing of councils’ most senior managers, with the issue now set to be investigated in new research.

24 August, 2018

Morrison wins Liberal leadership, Frydenberg elected deputy

Scott Morrison has been elected leader of the Liberal party and 30th Prime Minister of Australia, capping off a tumultuous week in federal government.

24 August, 2018

The crisis lurking in Australia’s stormwater drains

As plastic pollution in oceans worsens, an expert is calling on councils to rethink how they manage stormwater drains to prevent plastics from entering waterways.

13 August, 2018