Tuesday 30th of July, 2024
Rachel Payne MP asked a question on notice, inquiring with the Minister for Local Government on the status of the Municipal Association Act 1907 review.
RACHEL PAYNE, Member for South-Eastern Metropolitan Melbourne: To ask the Minister for Children (for the Minister for Local Government): What is the status of the review of the Municipal Association Act 1907 that commenced in 2017 following the Auditor-General’s report on Effectiveness of Support for Local Government, February 2015.
Response Received, 1st October 2024:
I thank the Member for the South-Eastern Metropolitan for her question in relation to the Municipal Association Act 1907.
The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) is a representative body established to promote efficient municipal government throughout the State of Victoria and promote the interests, rights and privileges of local government.
The Victorian Auditor-General issued two performance audits in 2015 and 2018. The 2015 audit report identified issues in the MAV’s operation, including in relation to its Liability Mutual Insurance (LMI) scheme.
The 2018 audit report which examined local government’s management of insurance risks made eight recommendations to the MAV for improvements, which were accepted by the MAV. Following the VAGO audit, the MAV also commissioned its own review of the LMI scheme, focussing on its long-term viability and sustainability.
During the same period, the Victorian Government reviewed the Municipal Association Act, in consultation with MAV and the local government sector. It was determined at the time that further assessment was required to identify the most effective LMI scheme for future operation.
While this work remains ongoing, my department remains committed to the need to review the Municipal Association Act 1907.
The Hon Melissa Horne MP
Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation
Minister for Local Government
Minister for Roads and Road Safety
Minister for Ports and Freight
