Abstract
In this paper we seek to answer some basic questions about the condition of local government in the Pacific. Firstly, we examine what is meant by ‘local government’ in the various islands and for that matter how Pacific Island states have perceived and accepted local government institutions in practice; second, we ask basic questions about existing legal and constitutional recognition and powers; and third, we provide initial findings on current per capita expenditure and local government financial viability in a number of Pacific cities and towns. We also make some observations on current moves towards local government reform.
Highlights
In this paper we seek to answer some basic questions about the condition of local government in the Pacific
Whereas municipal councils come under the ambit of the Local Government Act (Cap. 125), Provincial Councils that cover rural areas are established by virtue of the Fijian Affairs Act (Cap. 120)
Local government in the South Pacific is a complex blend of modern democratic principles and government systems with traditional institutions and practices, and often extremely small-scale
Summary
Given the constant influx of migrants from outer islands to the urban and peri-urban areas, and their tendency to enter the informal rather than formal economy and to be nonrate-paying ‘free-loaders’ on public facilities, there is little prospect that many town and city councils in the Pacific region will be able to significantly improve their capacities for service delivery or for infrastructural development in the short to medium term This is exacerbated by the current inter-governmental arrangements by which national governments make minimal transfers to local governments to facilitate service delivery. Within the Commonwealth, the ‘Commonwealth Principles on Good Practices for Local Democracy and Good Governance’ (commonly referred to as ‘The Aberdeen Agenda’) provides a set of standards for the promotion of healthy democracy and good governance It is a basis for research directions for future work relating to local government (CLGF, 2005). This paper is very much a ‘work in progress’
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