The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has met with a Kenyan delegation as part of its visit to Australia to seek advice on how to optimise a devolved system of government.

 

Under constitutional reforms in Kenya in 2010, a two-tier system of government – national and local government – was established, although questions relating to the allocation of roles and responsibilities and the matching allocation of funding remain to be resolved.      

 

The delegation was particularly interested in the inter-governmental structures that exist in Australia – such as the Council of Australian Governments – and the mechanisms by which the Federal Government funds councils including the Financial Assistance Grants and direct funding programs such as Roads to Recovery.  The delegation was also interested in the issue of constitutional recognition of local government in Australia.

 

The delegation also met with officers of the WA, NSW and Victorian departments of local government and the South Australian Local Government Association to gain a fuller understanding of the issues facing individual jurisdictions and councils.