If local government bodies are to perform to their fullest extent, the capacity of the executive arm must be significantly strengthened according to new research released by the Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government.

 

The ‘Australian Mayors: What can and Should They Do?’ research paper focuses on the changing role of Mayors in Australia, examining how that might role might be strengthened.

 

The paper found that as the office of the mayor is the highest executive body in local government, more should be done to enhance the power.

 

“In Australia, specification of the responsibilities and authority of mayors varies greatly both within and between the states and Northern Territory, but apart from Queensland, attitudes to the role of mayors could fairly be described as ambivalent,” the ACELG concluded in its research.

 

“However, recent legislation to further enhance the role and authority of Queensland mayors, and to introduce a directly (popularly) elected mayor for the City of Geelong in Victoria, appear to reflect a growing belief that more effective civic leadership is needed, and can be seen as emblematic of a broader shift in that direction.”

 

The full research paper can be found here