The Victorian Local Governance Association remains committed to providing resources and delivering programs that promote the highest standards of civility and respect across the local government sector.
Research undertaken by the VLGA, in collaboration with the Australian Research Council (ARC), together with our Census findings, released earlier this year, highlight the need for more robust and effective remedies when discourse breaks down.
The VLGA is calling on the Victorian Government and other peak bodies to work with us in funding and implementing programs to combat the incivilities experienced in the sector, particularly by women councillors.
Councillors and council staff are increasingly tackling issues stemming from rising levels of negative, abusive and sometimes threatening rhetoric. The VLGA strongly condemns any conduct which leads to an individual or group of individuals feeling unsafe or threatened.
Any behaviour that is threatening, abusive or makes peoples feel unsafe or intimidated, is not only unacceptable, but it also compromises the foundations of local democracy. Everyone, whether it be an elected representative or community member, has the right to actively participate in respectful ways in key discussions, decision making and any other fundamental aspects of this country’s democratic system without fear and without threats to their personal safety or targeted personal attacks.
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