A number of key motions were passed at the recent Local Government Association of the Northern Territory (LGANT) General Committee Meeting. Held at Nhulunbuy in East Arnhem Land, some 80 delegates from Municipal and Community Governments attended. Nhulunbuy is one of the Territory’s two special purpose towns. Established in 1968 to service Bauxite mining in the area, it currently has a population of 3,000 people.
Similar to the recent Third General Assembly in Canberra, the LGANT Meeting unanimously passed a motion supporting Reconciliation. In a further motion, moved by Litchfield Shire Council and seconded by Alice Springs Town Council, a Northern Territory Native Title Forum is to be organised by LGANT. It will run in conjunction with the next General Committee Meeting scheduled for 25 and 26 June at Tennant Creek.
“We will be inviting representatives from all interested parties including Aboriginal groups, the National Farmers Federation, Cattlemen’s Union, Mineral Council and NT Government,” said Cr Peter Kavanagh, President of LGANT. “Through a consultative forum, the aim is to present all views to assist LGANT in formulating a policy on this issue.”
A motion was also passed dealing with concerns about recent changes to childcare centre funding and family subsidies. Since the beginning of this year, allowances previously paid directly to childcare centres to assist low income families are now paid directly to families.
Coming on top of the removal of operational subsidies in the last Federal Budget, it was felt that childcare centres may face increasing difficulties in obtaining payment for services provided.
A motion was also carried for the incorporation of Local Government Financial Assistance Grants into State and Territory Grants, as long as there was a guarantee that Local Government funds would be fully distributed.
