Key Resolutions passed by the Assembly. A full list of all Resolutions is available on the ALGA web site at www.alga.asn.au
Urgency Resolution:
That the 2003 National General Assembly of Local Government:
1. Congratulates the Chairman, Deputy Chairman and Members of the House of Representatives Economics, Finance and Public Administration Committee on the bipartisan support in the Federal Parliament and the conduct of their Inquiry into Cost Shifting onto Local Government.
2. Applauds the Committee’s finding that cost shifting is imposing a serious financial burden on Local Government.
3. Supports the recommendations that call for:
- formal recognition of Local Government by resolution of the House of Representatives;
- a COAG summit on intergovernmental relations in 2005; and
- an intergovernmental agreement between the three spheres of government on the roles and responsibilities of Local Government and funding sources to meet those responsibilities.
4. Notes that some recommendations are complex and will require further analysis, but that Local Government is committed to working collaboratively with the Australian, State and Territory Governments to fix cost shifting and the inadequate funding of councils in a timely manner.
Carried Unanimously
Resolution 1:
That the Commonwealth Government demonstrate its commitment to delivering the highest standards of health services in regional and rural Australia by implementing appropriate strategies which provide career and financial incentives for retention of doctors and health professionals and removing impediments to integrated health service delivery.
Carried Unanimously
Resolution 15:
That the delegates at the 2003 National General Assembly acknowledge the Office for an Ageing Australia’s partnership initiative with ALGA and congratulate the Minister for Ageing in supporting the creation of a policy position at ALGA to carry out the work under this partnership initiative.
Carried
Resolution 26:
That the Federal Government continue support for the Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) program as a mechanism for Local Government to engage and deliver on greenhouse abatement. That funding support be provided by the Federal Government to the CCP program on a long term basis (five years as per previous agreement 1998–2003). That funding to the CCP program be increased to allow CCP to provide additional support to Local Government participants.
Carried
Resolution 34:
That the National General Assembly express its deep concern to the Minister for Environment at the cutting of the funding for the Coast and Clean Seas Program and other Coastal Environmental Initiatives.
Carried Unanimously
Resolution 37:
The National General Assembly of Local Government urges the Federal Government to ensure that its proposed national transport funding tool, AusLink, provides funding for all modes of transport infrastructure and that the Federal Government play a much stronger role in building transport infrastructure to make Australia’s cities environmentally sustainable.
Carried
Resolution 39:
1. That the National General Assembly reaffirms its total support for the continuation of the Commonwealth Roads to Recovery Program beyond 2005.
2. That funding for a renewed Roads to Recovery Program be doubled as concluded in the evaluation of the Program.
3. That funding for Roads to Recovery be fully indexed.
4. That the next Roads to Recovery Program must remain separate from AusLink funding and have the same criteria for funding as applies to the current program.
5. A renewed Roads to Recovery Program must be based on the following principles, as identified in the R2R evaluation:
- Determination of road priorities by the relevant local authority;
- Simple reporting mechanisms;
- Distribution of funds from the Commonwealth direct to Local Government.
Carried
Resolution 44:
The ALGA continue to strongly press the Commonwealth Government to take further action necessary to ensure affordable public liability insurance is available to not-for-profit community groups.
Carried
Resolution 50:
That ALGA seek meaningful dialogue with the Federal Government regarding the recommendations emanating from the Cost Shifting Inquiry.
Carried Unanimously
Resolution 62:
The ALGA support the efforts of the Indigenous people in relation to the return of the remains of Aboriginal people from England to Australia.
Carried
Resolution 63:
That the ALGA raise concerns with the Federal Government in relation to the proposed US/Australia Free Trade Agreement particularly with regard to the potential regional impacts and the need for the open discussion and debate on this issue through the parliamentary process.
Carried
Resolution 71:
That the Commonwealth Government’s 10 Year Plan for Tourism recognise the key role played by Local Government in tourism, given its responsibilities across a range of services including infrastructure, events, marketing, coordination, facilitation and support for visitor information services. That this role be recognised in the marketing, development and funding strategies developed within the 10 Year Plan.
Carried
