Editorial note: Local government in New Zealand exists within a fairly well-defined narrative. New Zealand is the most centralised nation within the OECD. Central government is by far the dominant partner in the central-local relationship and recent innovations in local government have tended towards further centralisation, such as the amalgamation into Auckland’s Super-City. While there...

The Renewable Energy Expert Panel sought to provide advice on credible pathways to achieving a 50% renewable energy target for Queensland by 2030, with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating economic development opportunities in the state.

How wonderful, you might think, that the Australian government is in furious agreement with its independent infrastructure advisory body on how to tackle the country’s present and looming infrastructure challenges. Of Infrastructure Australia’s 78 recommendations in its Infrastructure Plan, the federal government opposes only three outright. But, in reality, the government has ducked some hard...

Auckland is a city-region under intense political pressure. Migration and development are transforming streetscapes and communities. Local government has to plan and budget for significant investments in infrastructure as the city grows, and there is no strategy that pleases all sectors of residents at once. Property owners love their rising asset wealth, but central government...

This inquiry considered the future role and contribution of regional capitals to Australia. The report consists of five chapters:(a) Chapter 1 sets out administrative matters;(b) Chapter 2 asks 'what is a 'regional capital?';(c) Chapter 3 provides an overview of regional capitals across Australia and assesses current trends, challenges and opportunities facing regional capitals;(d) Chapter 4...