Diagnosis of a Broken System Why Local Government is Failing Us

In my years as a GP, I have learned that if you ignore a festering wound, it eventually poisons the whole body. Today, looking at the state of our local governments, I fear we are reaching that point of systemic infection. Being a local councillor used to be a noble way to serve the community. Now, it is becoming a dangerous and thankless task.

The high cost of service

I recently received word that two councillors at Rockingham council have received death threats. This is a chilling reality. When did serving your neighbours become a risk to your life? I have seen the toll this takes on individuals and their families. It is not just the threat of violence; it is the crushing weight of legal battles. I think of Andrew Mangano, a former councillor who sought my help. He was sued for defamation while performing his duties. Initially supported by his city, he was eventually thrown under the bus when the legal costs grew too high. He was left in a dire situation, abandoned by the very institutions that should have had his back.

The minister, the local government bodies, and the insurance commissions have proven themselves toothless. They are happy to collect fees but nowhere to be found when a local representative is facing financial or personal ruin. As a doctor, I find this negligence unacceptable. We are asking people to step up for their communities while leaving them completely exposed to the elements.

The developer priority

While our councillors are left vulnerable, the government is busy handing over the keys to our suburbs to big developers. From Nedlands to Narrogin, the planning power is being stripped away from local voices. We are seeing the dismantling of joint development assessment panels in favour of pathways that benefit corporations. I previously asked the Minister for Planning about the rate of developer approvals. I heard rumours of it being as high as 98 per cent. The minister remained coy. It makes one wonder if the real number is even higher.

If you value evidence-based policy and believe our local communities deserve a voice, I invite you to subscribe to my YouTube channel for more updates on our fight for transparency: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCIGBIf3b385BV5d48Y1U2A?sub_confirmation=1

A prescription for change

The government promised a transparent and holistic green paper on local government reform. We are still waiting. Instead, we see a steady stream of amendments that ignore the heart of the problem. We are moving toward a system where only lawyers are deemed fit to adjudicate, pushing out the ordinary person who understands their street and their neighbours. This is a move away from democracy and toward a cold, clinical bureaucracy that serves the highest bidder.

I wish the best of luck to those standing in local elections. You are doing valuable work, and you deserve a government that nurtures you rather than abandons you. We need to return to a system that prioritises the health of our communities over the profit margins of developers. The current trajectory is unsustainable and, frankly, dangerous for our local democracy.

You can read the full record of my statement in the Hansard record. To support our movement for a fairer, more transparent Western Australia, please consider joining Legalise Cannabis WA today.