A strong governance structure that has the respect of residents is essential for any healthy, functional and viable society. When governance structures fail or are corrupt, the whole community suffers.
Second-rate governance has contributed to the dysfunction of 1,200 remote communities in which 120,000 Australians are living miserable lives. Now is the time to give Indigenous Australians in remote communities the same democratic governance systems that have allowed the rest of the country to prosper.
- The present systems of governance of remote Indigenous communities have failed.
- On 11 October 2006, Northern Territory Minister for Local Government, the Hon Elliot McAdam MLA, announced a new framework for local government in the Northern Territory to be implemented by July 2008.1 The announcement left the details of the new ‘Regional Shires’ to a new ‘Local Government Advisory Board’.
- A simplified, amalgamated system of Regional Shires is the way forward. But we need to be very clear about why the current framework is not working and how the Regional Shires will work.
- Under the current local government framework, there are too many layers of government in remote Aboriginal communities resulting in conflict between, and duplication of, administrative structures. This multi-layered governance structure in remote Aboriginal communities is at the heart of their dysfunction and must change.
- The new Regional Shires must be given the same authority as Local Councils have in the rest of Australia. To remove conflict and duplication, the Land Councils must be limited to land management only and not be allowed to intervene in local government matters.
- The new Regional Shires (and all other governance organisations in remote communities) must be fully accountable and transparent. Conflict of interest rules must apply. The present entry permit system must not be used to prevent business competition and scrutiny of malpractice.
- Options that guarantee proceeds from royalties, rentals and monopoly businesses are directed to programmes and projects for the whole community must be implemented.
- Capacity building, training and employment in local government must be centred on individual needs and supported by workplace mentors.
- Community Development Employments Projects (CDEP) and other Indigenous work for the dole schemes should be abolished. Funding should be reallocated to new Regional Shires for the creation of permanent positions for Indigenous employees.
- Successful local government under new Regional Shires will require: a clear timetable for the establishment of the new authorities; the appointment of an administrator for a transition period; elections supervised by the Electoral Commission for both the Land Trustees and Community representatives on the council; the establishment of a clean set of accounts for the new authorities; and the abolition of ‘sitting fees’ and the introduction of annual allowances and compulsory training for elected members.
John Cleary was Chief Executive Officer of the Tiwi Islands Local Government from 2002–05. Previously he was a Member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly from 1979–86 and 1988–98. He was Minister for Health, Community Welfare and the Elderly, Aboriginal Affairs, Ethnic Affairs, Environment and Land Management, National Parks, Inland Fisheries, Local Government, Small Business, Transport and Energy in Tasmania.