Equal partners in government

The Queensland Government is committed to refreshing the relationship between the Queensland Government and local governments. A relationship based on genuine and equal partnership.

The Equal Partners in Government Agreement (PDF, 1.8MB) (EPIGA) encourages cooperative and positive relations based on mutual respect, with the aim of achieving better community outcomes for Queenslanders.

The EPIGA recognises that the Queensland Government and local governments have a vital role in the delivering The Right Plan for Queensland’s Future to get Queensland heading in the right direction for the benefit of all Queenslanders.

The EPIGA formalises a set of principles to guide the relationship between the Queensland Government and local governments. Those principles are:

• Empowered local governments and accountability
• Localised decision making through subsidiarity
• Equality through clearly established jurisdiction
• Minimum intervention from the Queensland Government
• Transparency and consistent governance arrangements
• Compliance requirements to ensure community benefit and local autonomy
• Effective and practical devolution/delegation of responsibilities
• Delivering on funding programs and strategies for financial sustainability
• Guaranteed constitutional recognition