The tyranny of geography: corruption risks for geographically challenged councils

Speaker:
Narelle George
Adviser, Misconduct Prevention, Crime and Misconduct Commission

Abstract:
This presentation will use two case studies from Queensland to look at the corruption risks facing geographically challenged councils.

Across Australia the local government sector is very diverse and can vary greatly — in size, in the range of services they provide, and in the operating budget they have available. They also vary greatly in their location.

While councils do have common roles and responsibilities in serving their local communities, they each have to deal with their own particular pressures and issues, and in terms of their own capabilities.

Such pressures and issues can be most acute in smaller and more remote councils which experience scarce resources, declining populations, high costs and distance. Many are acting as provider or ‘last resort’ when other public and private services are reduced.

These extra pressures can make it extremely difficult for such councils to develop appropriate systems and programs to address the challenges facing them. And the absence of effective systems can quickly foster the risk of misconduct and corruption.

However, some rural or remote councils can become subject to a ‘double jeopardy’ if they also face particular challenges in terms of their geographical location, for example:

• If a local council is situated within a mining belt, attracting and retaining qualified and experienced staff becomes extremely difficult — often resulting in serious understaffing and poor management practices.
• Also, the particular pressures faced by councils closely adjacent to one another where antagonism between the mayors or CEOs can spill over into work practices of the respective council employees.

Yet, regardless of the size or location of any local council, the community it serves has as much right as any other population group to expect the highest standards of ethical conduct by their council officers and representatives.