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THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN VICTORIA 1
Author(s) -
Mithen P. P.
Publication year - 1964
Publication title -
australian journal of public administration
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.524
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1467-8500
pISSN - 0313-6647
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-8500.1964.tb01351.x
Subject(s) - subsidy , revenue , local government , franchise , service (business) , business , state (computer science) , government (linguistics) , public administration , economic policy , economics , finance , political science , market economy , marketing , linguistics , philosophy , algorithm , computer science
Summary To sum up the views I have expressed, I would say that the present geographical division of Victoria into municipal districts is a brake on the system as a whole. Not only is it expensive, it makes efficient service to the people more difficult, and in some cases impossible, it tends to cause a loss of functions and it prevents municipalities undertaking new services which could be of benefit to ratepayers. The municipal franchise is out of line with modern thinking; it tends to lessen public interest in municipal affairs and deprives many good citizens of the right to vote and to act as councillors. Many of the more progressive municipalities are now undertaking new fields of health and social services and provision of amenities, but their activities are hampered by the necessity to spend so much of their revenues on roads. There is a need for more of the funds raised from road users to be devoted to road works, thereby freeing council revenues for other purposes, but as far as can be seen at present councils will have to rely for the bulk of their revenue on rates, with assistance from Government subsidies. Many councils have been weakened by the loss of experienced councillors, but, on the other hand, the standard of administrative service available to councils is rising. Generally, I believe that local government, despite the fact that it is labouring under some handicaps, not all of which it is anxious to remedy, is doing a pretty good job in the circumstances, better in some municipalities than in others depending on the quality of the council, and its staff; and where that quality is good, councils are gradually getting on top of their problems.