State Parliament. ▪ Photo contributed
The Minns Labor Government has released a new guide to strengthen consultation practices with regional, rural and remote communities across the state.
This is part of the State Government’s ongoing work to build stronger regional communities by delivering solutions tailored to local communities and informed by local knowledge.
The Regional Communities Consultation Guide outlines the Government’s approach to consulting with regional, rural and remote communities, including Aboriginal communities, to make better decisions and improve the lives of people across New South Wales.
The release of the Guide follows the introduction of the Regional Communities (Consultation Standards) Act 2024, by Independent Member for Barwon, Roy Butler.
In a state first this legislation enshrines that compliance with the guide is required for certain consultations, setting a clear standard that those affected by decisions should be involved in the decision-making process.
Mr Butler has worked with the Government to address the barriers which have historically faced regional engagement with Government consultations, including population sparsity, and digital disadvantages.
“Poor consultation practices lead to frustration, anxiety, and reduced trust in the government.
“In our democratic system, it’s important for governments to understand communities’ needs, wants, and aspirations, especially when it relates to spending public funds,” Mr Butler said.
“The legal requirement to meet a consistent standard when consulting, along with the associated guide, ensures improved consultation practices.”
Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns said no-one knows what a local community needs better than the people who actually call that place home.
“That’s what this is about, ensuring that the people impacted by the decisions we make are a part of the decision making process,” the Premier said.
“It’s a commonsense step, which I’m grateful Roy brought to the table because I genuinely think our state will be stronger for it.”
