A Dean Winter Labor Government will establish closer partnerships between state and local government to deliver more effectively.

Labor will work with, not against, local governments - because we know that it is fundamental to creating opportunities.

Labor’s Fresh Start for local government will:

• Establish Regional Partnership Agreements between local government and State Government
• Ensure no forced Council amalgamations
• Establish a Charter of Government Responsibility to end duplication and cost shifting

Why we need it

After 11 years, the Liberals have failed to work alongside Councils and have often criticised Council decisions instead of working with Councils to deliver shared outcomes. 

• As a result, the Liberals have failed to implement reforms like the Tasmanian Planning Scheme.
• Councils have had to pick up the slack of supporting people while the cost of living has skyrocketed.
• And the Liberals have threatened to forcibly amalgamate Councils before backing down.

The details

A Dean Winter Labor Government will ensure no forced Council amalgamations.

Labor will work with local government to establish Regional Partnership Agreements between local governments and the State Government. 

There will be an initial 3-year pilot commencing in northwest Tasmania between the nine member Councils of the Cradle Coast Authority and a Tasmanian Labor Government.

The partner Councils will identify key focus areas and opportunities to work together, which could include regional planning, health, education, renewable energy, industry development and economic development.

A Labor Government will also establish a sector wide workforce development program, and a Charter of Government Responsibility between state and local government to end duplication and cost shifting. 

Labor will work with the Parliament and local government stakeholders to develop a model for council scrutiny to ensure ratepayers are getting value for money. This transparency measure will highlight issues in local government that require attention, including cost-shifting, and would help avoid the expense and public inconvenience of boards of inquiry.

A Dean Winter Labor Government will finish the review of the Local Government Act and will complete the Tasmanian planning policies to provide state-level guidance to regional and local plan decision-making.