This paper has been commissioned by Local Government Professionals Australia as a contribution to debate on the future of the Australian federation and as a response to the National Innovation and Science agenda.

Australian local government is far from perfect and Local Government Professionals accepts the need for improvement. Nevertheless, it is disappointing that current moves to reform the federation, including the recently issued discussion paper, have given little consideration to the contribution local government could make.

This paper presents a practical and professional point of view. It marks the first step in a two-year program of Local Government Professionals research and events aimed at increasing awareness of what local government does, the resources it can bring to the table and the expanded role it should pursue.