Local Government Act 2020

The Local Government Act 2020 was a significant statute in Victoria, Australia, notable for its impact on the electoral systems of local councils in Victoria.[1] The Act, which the Victorian Government described as the "most ambitious and comprehensive reform of local government in Victoria for 30 years," will see a large number of multi-member wards replaced with single-member wards.[1][2]

Reviews were undertaken for the number of councillors, number of councillors per ward and the exact boundaries of those wards for 39 of Victoria's 79 councils.[2]

The Act was introduced on 17 June 2019 by the then-Minister for Local Government, Adem Somyurek.[3] It passed parliament on 17 March 2020, and received Royal Assent days later on 24 March.[1][4]

The Act has been criticised for its removal of proportional representation in some councils, as well as its possible impact on the ability for women and minority groups to be elected.[5]

Councils affected

All metropolitan councils with multi-member wards were affected by the changes. Rural councils have the options of being unsubdivided, or having equal-sized multi-member wards.[5] The City of Melbourne, which only has a single ward, was not impacted.[2]

Although most changes are set to come into effect before the 2024 local elections, eight councils moved to single-member wards ahead of the 2020 local elections:[6]

Additionally, Swan Hill and Mansfield moved to an unsubdivided structure.[6]

References
  1. "Local Government Act 2020". Local Government Victoria.
  2. Raue, Ben. "Victorian council ward reviews eradicating PR in Melbourne". The Tally Room.
  3. "Delivering A New Local Government Act For Victoria". Premier of Victoria.
  4. "Ratepayers want 'urgent structural overhaul' of councils". Herald Sun.
  5. "Victorian local government review prompts concerns about female representation". ABC News.
  6. "Electoral structure changes for 2020". Department of Government Services.
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