VLGA Connect

A special VLGA Connect, with Kathryn Arndt and Chris Eddy speaking with Associate Professor Tom Daly from the Melbourne School of Government about the impacts of COVID-19 on representative democracy. This wide-ranging conversation looks at how the pandemic has sharpened the focus on role of elected representatives, the debate about directly elected vs indirectly elected mayors, and the emergence o...

On this episode of VLGA Connect Newsroom, we highlight some of this week's stories from around local government, including a new Chair for Regional Cities Victoria; outdoor dining leads to reduced revenue for Councils; and communities about to be surveyed for their thoughts on how their local Council is performing. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offere...

Governance is back! Talking Codes of Conduct troubles, more CEO movements in the sector, model working documents for finance practitioners, and induction prompted conflict of interest quandaries. Join Chris Eddy and Stephen Cooper for another mostly useful discussion now. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (...

The VLGA Connect Summer Series lives on, with another edition of Newsroom where Kathryn Arndt and Chris Eddy highlight some handpicked local government-related news stories from the past week.  On this episode, a new gender equality advisory committee; the Melbourne School of Government's policy briefs on governing through crises; promising signs of a return to busy-ness in Melbourne's C...

On this week's Governance Update with Chris Eddy and Stephen Cooper, discussion points include:  Ballarat City Council's Governance and Culture Review; the schedule of milestones due under the Local Government Act 2020; how do we define what it means to operate in a principles based environment; and the upcoming VLGA Fast Track Leadership day. Support the show To learn more about the eve...

Victorian Auditor-General Andrew Greaves, and Commissioner for Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Kristen Hilton join us for an in-depth discussion about the findings of the VAGO audit of how sexual harassment matters are handled in the Victorian local government sector. The audit found that Councils do not provide workplaces that are free from sexual harassment. We discuss the recommendations, th...

On the weekly Governance Update, we're joined by Hannah Duncan-Jones from Local Government Victoria to discuss upcoming deadlines under the Local Government Act 2020, including adoption of new Councillor Codes of Conduct and Community Engagement Policies; some new definitions in the Register of Interest forms; and setting policies to give effect to the financial management principles in the A...

The VLGA Newsroom program is back for 2021, with Kathryn Arndt and Chris Eddy, and a more newsy format. This week, calls for local government to have a seat at the National Cabinet; a mayor calls for Councillors to have more operational powers; and the debate over going to the polls in the UK during COVID-19 lockdowns. Plus a big few weeks of VLGA events ahead. See the comments for story links, an...

Infrastructure Victoria has released its draft 30 year strategy, and is looking for feedback prior to 26 February 2021. We speak with IV's Manager Strategy and Policy, Llewellyn Reynders, about how the strategy was developed, and what it means for local government. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VL...

Joining us on the VLGA Connect Summer Series is Martine Letts, CEO of the Committee for Melbourne, to talk about the 25th year of the emerging civic leaders' program Future Focus Group, and the visionary concept of an East Coast Megaregion to deliver a range of social and economic benefits. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local...

The weekly Governance Update is back for 2021 as part of the VLGA Connect Summer Series. Chris Eddy and Steve Cooper discuss recent significant appointments in the sector, and the program of LGA2020 implementation with key deadlines looming. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here . If y...

On our final Newsroom for 2020, we look back the origins of VLGA Connect and recall some of the conversations and topics that we explored with people from across the local government sector and beyond this year. 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 a...

It's our first year-end review on the Governance Update. Chris Eddy and Steve Cooper look back on the highlights and lowlights of the year, including COVID-19, Council elections, and introduction of the new Local Government Act. We touch on where the integrity agencies were focused, and look at some of the learnings for the sector - all with an appropriately festive feel! Support the show To...

This week from the VLGA Newsroom, Kathryn Arndt updates us on current VLGA activities, including induction of new Councils; preparing for the annual FastTrack leadership program; new State Govt affordable housing processes; and getting ready for our live Global CEO Panel on 17 December. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governanc...

As the governance year grinds towards a brief hiatus, we purport to diligently present the penultimate edition of VLGAConnect Governance Update for 2020. Stephen Cooper shares some observations from his part physical/ part virtual induction road trip, with Councillors coming to grips with conflict of interest provisions, apprehended bias issues and standards of conduct that will underpin new Counc...

On VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy speaks with David Wolf, IBAC Deputy Commissioner, about a new report on unauthorised access and disclosure of information in local government. We discuss the key findings and implications for Councillors and Council staff. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click he...

It's a special edition of VLGA Connect Newsroom with Kathryn Arndt, where we're joined by Minister for Local Government, the Hon Shaun Leane MP to reflect on a year of challenges for local government; and to look ahead for what's in store in 2021. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), ple...

Your regular dose of governance guidance is here, this week with the extra style and panache from Hannah Duncan-Jones of Local Government Victoria. We talk mayoral installations, legislation implementations, and sundry supplications regarding induction processes. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), pl...

The extra edition of the VLGA Connect Governance Update that you didn't know you needed! Scrutinising the State Budget with an local government lens. 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.or...

This week from the VLGA Newsroom with Kathryn Arndt, we discuss the flurry of Mayoral appointments; preparing for Fast Track leadership development in 2021; anticipating a strong State budget for local government, and more from around the world of Councils in Victoria. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLG...

Surprise! The Governance Update has arrived early this week, with news and views from Operation Sandon, and a discussion about how a new Council might approach the policies and strategies that they have inherited from the previous Council. 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...

On this week's Newsroom episode from VLGA Connect, Kathryn Arndt and Chris Eddy discuss the outcomes of the recent Council elections, particularly in relation to gender balance. All candidates are reminded of the need to lodge campaign donation returns. And we look ahead to a full slate of VLGA Connect discussions in the coming weeks. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs,...

On a new Governance Update with Chris Eddy and Stephen Cooper, we set new Councillors a reading and research list. We have the first Councillor resignation of the new term, and some interesting electoral outcomes worth noting. 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...

This week on the Newsroom with Kathryn Arndt, we chat about Victorian Council election outcomes, including a significant increase in the number of women councillors. Were these elections the nastiest yet? In the works, a potential live panel with global CEOs; and IBAC's Operation Sandon hearings return today. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by t...

This week on the Governance Update, we talk Council elections; alleged vote tampering; early trends emerging; IBAC Operation Sandon getting back under way; and a new IBAC paper on data handling. 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,...