SA Governor Can Pause or Change Local Government Laws for Coober Pedy; April 2027 Council Election Cancelled

Local Government (Transition Out of Administration) Amendment Bill 2026

14 Oct 2026: The first house is examining this bill in detail, possibly in committee, before a final vote.

House of Assembly

Legislative Council

Assent

Share this bill

Email Facebook X Bluesky

Topics

elections government accountability government oversight local government

Introduced by: The Hon Rhiannon Pearce MP (ALP) — Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Local Government, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing

Links to official parliament websites

Official page: progress through parliament

Official page: bill text and explanatory notes

Effects of this bill

If this bill passes, it means that:

The Governor can change or pause how local government laws apply to the District Council of Coober Pedy. This helps the council move out of administration or run more efficiently during a transition period.
The District Council of Coober Pedy will no longer hold the periodic election that was set to close in April 2027. Any work already done for that election is now void.
The Governor can set a specific date for action on a report, rather than waiting for the 2026 periodic elections to end.
The Governor can only change local government laws for the District Council of Coober Pedy, or set report action dates, if the Local Government Minister recommends it.
The Local Government Minister must give a report to both Houses of Parliament within five sitting days after the Governor changes or pauses laws for the District Council of Coober Pedy. This report must explain why the change was needed.