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Monday, June 19, 2023

Victorian councillors call for more local government training ahead of 2024 election - ABC News

Libro Mustica took on one of the biggest roles of his life when he became a Moira Shire councillor, eventually serving a historic five terms as mayor. 

But it is a job he wished offered better governance training.

"When I first got elected, governance and training was pretty poor for us, we had to pick it up along the way," he said.

"It didn't take long to get a great understanding of what was expected of us, but there's no doubt more governance training would help."

The Moira Shire in northern Victoria has an office in the town of Cobram.()

He resigned in November 2022, shortly before the appointment of the Commission of Inquiry into Moira Shire Council.

The inquiry lead to the council being dismissed until October 2028 and replaced with a panel of administrators to restore good governance.

Getting on to council 'easy'

Better education and understanding of the role is something Wodonga councillor Kevin Poulton wants to see addressed before the 2024 Victorian local council elections.

Kevin Poulton says some councillors have commented how easy it is to nominate and take on the role.()

Cr Poulton was elected in 2020 and took on the role of mayor.

The council was appointed a monitor in 2022 to help improve governance.

Cr Poulton said many elected at the time felt the strain of working under the new Local Government Act 2020, which was introduced just months before the elections.

"Certainly, there's a long way to go to fix some of the issues that happen regularly in some councils," he said.

"I'd encourage further conversation and engagement with those that have the experience and have struggled under this new act to ensure that there's a better outcome in the future.

"Particularly knowing we are going to election again next year, and there will be people wondering whether they will put their hand up or not.

"They need to know exactly what it is they're getting themselves in for."

Cr Poulton said many in the sector had raised concerns becoming a councillor was "easy".

"You are just making a declaration you are a fit and proper person and submitting your credentials to the VEC," he said.

"I definitely think the training, the induction and perhaps the background checks could certainly be greater."

Laura Binks says a particular set of skills is required for the role on council.()

Laura Binks decided to run for the Strathbogie Shire Council, which currently has a monitor appointed, during the 2020 elections.

She has since taken on the role of mayor, but admits it was a steep learning curve.

"I admit when I started I didn't know what I was getting into and I have learnt so much in my time on being in local government," she said.

She said many people who ran for council had an activist background, and there was room for more training and understanding of the skills required ahead of the elections.

"Having a really strong understanding of governance, of risk, financial literacy, strategy, the legal environment, all those elements are really important to be able to perform our role properly," she said.

Better training needed

The Victorian Local Governance Association, a peak body for councils and councillors around good governance, ethics and leadership, agreed there should be more thorough training for councillors.

Kathryn Arndt says monitors in council reflect a need for more training.()

"Local government is the least resourced level of government in Australia, yet it is responsible for delivering a wide array of vital services and programs," Victorian Local Governance Association chief executive Kathryn Arndt said.

"Local councillors do not currently receive adequate support for governance training and professional development.

"This needs to be a focus for greater investment given the important role of councillors making decisions that directly impact people and their communities."

In the past two years, the Minister for Local Government has appointed monitors to eight Victorian councils.

"The appointment of local government monitors is a sign that greater investment is needed in preparing and supporting councillors around their governance responsibilities," Ms Arndt said.

"This is an emergency measure that could be avoided through a comprehensive program of training and professional development for councillors."

Council elections will be held again in Victoria in 2024.()

She said the appointment of local government monitors in a few areas did not reflect standards across Victoria's 79 local governments.

The Department of Local Government said not all municipal monitor appointments related to issues arising from a lack of professional development of councillors, and they should not been seen as a punitive or emergency measure.

"We introduced mandatory candidate training for all nominees ahead of the 2020 elections," a state government spokesperson said.

"We also have made it mandatory for all councils to provide induction training for new councillors and encourage councils to have professional development programs for their councillors."

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Victorian councillors call for more local government training ahead of 2024 election - ABC News
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