This discussion paper proposes reforms to local government legislation. Some of the key reforms proposed include a new conduct management framework for council members, an expanded role for council audit committees, and improvements to regulation to reduce councils’ costs.

At a quick glance, local party democracy in Canada can appear strong, with grassroots members in each constituency gathering every few years to choose their candidate for the next election. This report examines how election candidates for Canada’s five major federal parties were chosen over the last five elections (2004-2015).

The intensification of development that is required in established and occupied inner and middle suburban greyfield areas (retrofit) is the great challenge for our fast-growing Australian cities. The scale of urban regeneration required over the next 30 years has the potential to reduce carbon emissions, improve housing affordability and reduce urban sprawl. It is also...

This volume collects innovative thinking about new forms of politics, new forms of political organisation and new ways of thinking politics.

This report explores the case for, and ways to promote, effective place-based governance and local democracy as vital elements of Australia’s federal system. It is in response to trends such as declining levels of trust in governments and politicians, the inability of ‘big government’ to deal with issues such as climate change and rapid metropolitan...