Local Government

In brief:

·        Keep councils focused on roads, rubbish and local services

·        Return planning power to local communities

·        Strengthen watchdogs like the CCC and Ombudsman and increase accountability and oversight

One Nation WA believes that local government is there to provide local communities facilities, services and infrastructure such as roads, rubbish collection, libraries and local parks. It should not be an ideological battleground.

The result of this is that local government has become increasingly distracted and dysfunctional, taking positions on global issues and pushing narratives onto their constituents.

For instance, some councils which have been taken over by the radical left are displaying the flags of foreign countries to take a position on geopolitical matters, and encouraging drag queens to read to toddlers at libraries.

We also see that local communities are often ignored in relation to council decisions, in favour of implementing party policy in relation to developments and planning issues. We will also return more power to local communities to have more of a say in development decisions, following recent changes which side-line local councillors in Western Australia.

One Nation also recognises that Local Government is used by the State Government to cost-shift responsibilities. Local Governments cannot be asked to take on ever more responsibility without being allocated the required funding, as otherwise rates will become unaffordable.

We also will increase funding for independent institutions who can address disputes between local councils and their voters, such as providing more resources for the Corruption and Crime Commission as well as the WA Ombudsman, or creating a Local Government inspector who reports to the State Parliament.