Debate about local government in Australia is trapped in a repetitive argument about its importance to local communities on the one hand, yet its subservience to state and territory governments on the other.
This argument flares when state and territory governments pursue programs of compulsory amalgamation, often justified by arguments about economies of scale and scope.
In Local Government in Australia: History, Theory and Public Policy, Bligh Grant and Joseph Drew challenge this debate by presenting a case for the distinct nature of local government systems in Australia compared with its counterparts in similar systems, particularly the UK and the US.
Core issues in contemporary debates are explained, including:
- Why local government matters;
- Local government ‘s relative lack of power in Australia compared to the UK and the US;
- The ‘history wars’ in local government studies in Australia;
- The shift from ‘local government’ to ‘local governance’;
- The range of leadership models available for local government – and the dangers of populism in directly-elected mayors;
- How to do amalgamations properly;
- The enduring issue of local government financial sustainability, and:
- The emerging influence of urban studies, city politics and ‘city deals’ in Australia.
The book also discusses the future of local government as an element of Australia’s federation.
About the Authors
Bligh Grant is Senior Lecturer at the Institute for Public Policy and Governance at the University of Technology Sydney. His main areas of research are Australian politics, public administration and political theory, particularly as they pertain to local government.
Joseph Drew is Lecturer at the Institute for Public Policy and Governance at the University of Technology Sydney. His main areas of research are intergovernmental financial relations, in particular expenditure and revenue structures for local government, performance measurement and corporate governance.
Book launch details
The book will be launched by Professor The Hon Bob Carr, Director of the Australia-China Relations Institute on 29 June 2017.
Registrations
Please complete your book launch registration online.
Further information or media comment
Bligh Grant: Tel. 0400 338 762 email: Bligh.Grant@uts.edu.au
Local Government in Australia: History, Theory and Public Policy: Published by Springer.
Released: March 8th ebook €118,99 Hardcover €149,99 445 pp ISBN: 978-981-10-3876-9 http://www.springer.com/gp/book/9789811038655