This report shines a light on inadequate governance and mismanagement of key areas of responsibility within the Central Goldfields Shire Council.

An independent review recommended that the Australian Government cease the Regional Development Australia Program. Instead, the Australian Government will refocus the RDA Program so that RDA Committees move beyond their previous planning role and into a more active and facilitative role, effectively being brokers for regional investment.

This document discusses the gaps in Australia’s emergency management legislation and the coordination of federal, state and local disaster management arrangements in Australia. It analyses key legislation from the UK and US jurisdictions and reveals important lessons that could be adopted in Australia.

The Fraser, Howard and Abbott governments tended to “stick to their knitting,” treating cities, urban policy and public transport as the realm of state governments. Turnbull is bucking this trend.

This report argues that as many of the issues relevant to regions span federal, state and local government, such bodies should have a federal remit. They should then work with governments at all levels and other stakeholders, including users and the general public, to make the journey to better policy and delivery.