VLGA Connect

Join Chris Eddy and Stephen Cooper for another episode of the Governance Update. This week, defining culture; an integrity body head succumbs to pressure and steps down; local government Australia Day honours; the danger of being ambushed by a cake! Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click her...

From 26 July 2021: The new CEO of Victoria's Environment Protection Authority visits VLGA Connect to introduce himself, and talk about the new legislative environment in which the EPA is working with its stakeholders, including local government. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click he...

From 22 July 2021: Our guest in the VLGA Connect studio today is Terry Moran, AC, chair of the Centre for Policy Development, discussing confidence in our democratic institutions, local government's place in our democracy, and 'the lack of faith' at a federal level in the capacity of local government. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by...

On the VLGA Connect Governance Update, this week: Leadership lessons from tennis and Gettysburg, (but not tennis at an address in Gettysburg); media ethics questions around mayors who work in radio; misconduct findings against councillors in Queensland; local government enforcement issues and challenges; appointment news; hat of the week and more. Support the show To learn more about the events, p...

From 19 July 2021: Victoria's Local Jobs First Commission works to promote employment of apprentices, cadets and trainees on government projects, and oversees compliance of local content and job commitments in contractual arrangements for project delivery. On VLGA Connect, we speak with Acting Local Jobs First Commissioner Greg Wilson about his role, and how the commission could potentially a...

From 30 June 2021: Joining Chris Eddy in the VLGA Connect virtual studio today is Shane Lucas, CEO of the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, to talk about the work of the foundation with local government, the VLGA, responding to the recent VAGO audit of its operations, and contributing to the Royal Commission regarding Crown Casino. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs...

This week on the Governance Update: Tennis lessons; omicron impacting Council services; when is a garden party a work function? And other news and views from around the local government sector. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here . If you'd like to contact us about the podcast,...

From 19 June 2021: A special edition with all three current Chair Administrators in Victoria, Julie Eisenbise, Lydia Wilson and Noelene Duff, discussing the role of an administrator; the task of restoring community confidence after governance failings have led to Council dismissals; and how the role differs (or doesn't) to that of an elected Mayor/Councillor. Support the show To learn more ab...

From 26th May, 2021: On VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy is in conversation with Sherryn Prinzi, Chair of the Victorian Child Friendly Cities and Communities Advisory Group - an alliance of local governments and other agencies, working to empower children as active and engaged citizens. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Associ...

The weekly Governance Update is back for 2022, with Chris Eddy and Stephen Cooper discussing local government news and events of the past few weeks, including: a delayed determination on councillor allowances; the Victorian rate cap for next financial year announced; a councillor resignation and countback for Alpine Shire; the cultural review a hot topic of discussion; cricket gets a mention (go f...

From May 2021 - VLGA CEO Kathryn Arndt joins Chris Eddy for a discussion with the Victorian Ombudsman, Deborah Glass, about her new report looking at how Councils administer financial hardship policies. She highlights good and poor examples leading to a series of recommendations to improve the way the  Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian...

From May 2021 - On VLGA Connect, we are in conversation with Anna Cronin, Victoria's Commissioner for Better Regulation, and Chair of the expert panel conducting a wide ranging review of the state's building system. Anna outlines the scope of the review, the process to be undertaken, timing and  Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victor...

From May 2021 - On VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy is in conversation with Angus Clelland, CEO of Mental Health Victoria, about the unprecedented investment from federal and state governments in mental health services; and the importance of ensuring local councils are participants in the solution. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Gover...

From April 2021 - Chris Eddy and Kathryn Arndt are joined by Ken Smith, Dean and CEO of the Australia New Zealand School of Government for a wide-ranging discussion about our system of government, and the opportunity to reimagine the way governments serve their constituents. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Associatio...

The Best of VLGA Connect Summer Series takes us back to March 2021, when Chris Eddy spoke with the CEO of the Victorian Planning Authority, Stuart Moseley. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here . If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to vlga@vlga.o...

Next up in our Best Of series, we revisit an interview with Victoria's Auditor-General Andrew Greaves, and Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner Kristen Hilton, discussing the results of a VAGO survey of local government's handling of sexual harassment matters. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Asso...

On our final Governance Update for 2021, Chris Eddy and Steve Cooper wrap up the week's governance news, including name change processes; a new IBAC report on misuse of information; a report into the cost of rate capping in Victoria, plus news on the NSW rate peg for the coming year; CEO appointments and countback results and more Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and...

In the first episode of the VLGA's Local Government Culture Review series, Minister Shaun Leane talks with Kathryn Arndt and Chris Eddy about the reasons for conducting a review, and a new discussion paper setting out issues for the sector's response. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), plea...

Welcome to the first in our Summer Series Best Of collection - looking back at some of the most watched and most talked about episodes from the 2021 season of VLGA Connect. This episode comes from the VLGA Annual General Meeting, when Chris Eddy spoke with Peggy O'Neal AO about governance, culture and leadership. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered...

The VLGA Connect Summer Series kicks off with the weekly Governance Update. On the menu this week, Councillors running for state or federal office - what are obligations and considerations? Some councillor resignations and CEO movements to note; the ESC annual compliance report is out; and the dismissal of an interstate council raises the topic of compliance with financial management principles. A...

Join us in the VLGA Connect studio for this week's Governance Update with Chris Eddy and Stephen Cooper. This week's topics include a municipal monitor for Yarra City Council; VCAT given the green light to determine a matter brought by the Chief Municipal Inspector in relation to a Yarra councillor; another Victorian CEO leaving the sector; the Jenkins Report and implications for dealing...

This week on the Governance Update, a council contemplates a name change; CEOs arriving and departing; a councillor code of conduct issue attracts attention; the wash up from Victoria's mayoral elections; cricket lessons, and more! Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here . If you&ap...

This week, Chris Eddy and Steve Cooper discuss mayoral election results; VLGA AGM insights; council by elections and count backs; fraud awareness; improving the management of conflicts of interest; CEO movements; and abandoned vehicles. It's all happening on the VLGA Connect Governance Update. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Loc...

Lots of local government news to unpack this week on the VLGA Connect Governance Update, with Chris Eddy and Stephen Cooper. Notable outcomes from mayoral elections across Victoria; results from the South Gippsland Shire elections; a pending countback expected at Yarra Ranges Shire; observations from IBAC's Operations Watts hearings; the Victorian and Tasmanian sectors under review along with...

In this episode, governance issues spring from the sports pages; Lucy Dalton from LGV provides an update on LGA2020 implementation and other topical sector issues; it's mayoral election season in Victoria; conflict of interest lessons from ICAC and South Australia; and the councillor calling out abuse of elected representatives and council staff. Support the show To learn more about the event...