Better Practice Review

Newcastle Greens

MEDIA RELEASE
8 May 2007

Greens to request Local Government Department to undertake a ‘Better Practice Review’ of Newcastle City Council

Newcastle Greens Councillor Michael Osborne said today that he will ask for support from fellow Councillors to take up the Local Government Minister’s idea for his Department to undertake a ‘Better Practice Review’ of the Council administration.

The Minister for Local Government, The Hon. Paul Lynch, MP, raised on Newcastle radio yesterday the idea of getting the Department of Local Government to undertake a ‘Better Practice Review’ of the administration of Newcastle City Council.

“The idea of getting the Department to undertake a ‘Better Practice Review’ of the Council administration is a good idea because it will not only act as a ‘health check’ and perhaps restore some confidence in the Council but it will help focus attention on the key priorities,” Councillor Osborne said.

Under the Local Government Act 1993, one of the roles of the elected Council, as the governing body of the City, is to review the performance of the Council administration. The Department has reviewed more than 40 councils so far including Port Stephens, Maitland, Cessnock, Dungog, Muswellbrook, Gosford, Wyong, Penrith and Wollongong.

“The General Manager’s outburst in The Herald over the weekend, just before she went on a holiday to China, is of a great concern and certainly an inappropriate and unprofessional way to behave,” Councillor Osborne said.

“Promoting good governance and ethical conduct principles is one of the objectives of the Local Government Department’s ‘Better Practice Review’.

“At the same time, Councillor Buman’s constant attacks on the Council administration are not a constructive way to improve the performance of the council and its delivery of services.

“The elected Council needs to work with the Council administration to achieve the best outcomes for the City. The Greens on Newcastle City Council were elected to represent the interests of the residents and ratepayers of Newcastle and we will continue to do just that,” Councillor Osborne said.

More information about the Department of Local Government ‘Better Practice Review’ can be found on their website Local Government Better Practice