NSW reconsiders EV road user charge after High Court decision

The High Court has ruled that Victoria can’t charge EV drivers for using the road.

23 October, 2023

Councillors not in ‘office of profit’

Australia’s High Court has said that mayors and other councillors are eligible to stand for state and federal parliaments, ruling that they do not hold ‘an office of profit under the Crown’. The judgement came with a unanimous decision by the Court in a case brought by One Nation against Devonport mayor Steve Martin, who […]

6 February, 2018

Woollahra Council set for High Court showdown with Berejiklian over merger

Residents could take up the fight if council loses.

2 May, 2017

Baird promises laws to protect old ICAC findings, orders new review

Corruption watchdog’s powers to be probed by expert panel.

5 May, 2015

High Court school chaplains decision set to choke council money from Canberra

It may not have come as a surprise, but the Williams case MkII decision is exactly the legal nightmare local governments have unsuccessfully been fighting to avoid for years.

19 June, 2014

Truss out to mend bridges for councils

By Julian Bajkowski The Abbott government is wasting no time in pushing its roads-led infrastructure renewal policy to the nation’s councils, after Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Warren Truss, pledged $300 million to replace decaying small bridges. In a speech pitched squarely at regional councils and the road freight industry, […]

15 November, 2013

Local roads and bridges facing ruin hits $11.6bn

By Julian Bajkowski If you ever thought the number of problem potholes and bumpy bridges on regional roads just seems to keep growing, you’re in good company. At least $11.6 billion in roads and bridge infrastructure maintained by cash-strapped councils across Australia are now in a poor to very poor condition according to the latest […]

14 November, 2013

ALGA warning over $150 million regional funding gap

By Julian Bajkowski Councils and local governments across Australia are digging in for a battle to try and keep $150 million of federal infrastructure funding promised under the Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF) after the Coalition refused to guarantee the money if it wins government. The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) on Friday upped the […]

6 September, 2013

Abbott pushes referendum Vote No case

By Julian Bajkowski Coalition support for the ‘yes’ case in the referendum on Constitutional recognition for local government has edged one step closer to official collapse after Opposition leader Tony Abbott intensified his attack on the poll process amid growing internal pressure to withdraw bipartisan support. Speaking at a press conference in Whittlsea, Victoria, Mr […]

2 July, 2013

Referendum legislation clears Senate despite Coaltion walkout

By Julian Bajkowski Legislation to make a local government referendum on 14th September has finally cleared the Senate amid a widening split in the Coalition that resulted in seven members of the Opposition cross the floor to vote against the bill and at least as many abstaining. The last minute bid to shoot down referendum […]

25 June, 2013

Canberra told to make Roads to Recovery funding permanent

By Julian Bajkowski The electorally popular, multi-billion dollar Roads to Recovery program should be permanently funded and councils dealt into any new road-user charging schemes a pre-election list of demands issued by Australia’s peak body for local governments says. As the federal poll date draws closer, councils across the nation have put both sides of […]

18 June, 2013

Gillard warns referendum is ‘last chance’ for councils

By Julian Bajkowski Embattled Prime Minister Julia Gillard has bluntly warned Australia’s 560 councils and shires that the forthcoming referendum on Constitutional recognition for local government will be their final chance to guarantee direct funding for projects from Canberra. Speaking at the opening of the 2013 National General Assembly for Local Government in Canberra, Ms […]

17 June, 2013

Council digs for Lehman’s insurance policies

Wingecarribee Shire Council is seeking to recoup losses made from CDO investments. Image: iStock By Angela Dorizas Wingecarribee Shire Council in New South Wales has won the right to proceed with attempts to access the insurance policies of collapsed US investment bank Lehman Brothers. The council has been involved in a $2.5 million lawsuit against Lehman Brothers […]

11 May, 2009