Moving forward as leading Local Government professionals
Meeting in Brisbane for the first time, the 20th National Congress was also the first national gathering of Local Government managers under the new title, Local Government Managers Australia (LGMA).
In welcoming delegates to the Congress, then LGMA President, Rob Noble said that the Congress theme, ‘A New Odyssey’, highlighted entering the new millennium with a new name and new focus.
With 30 sessions, presented in three current streams covering New Business; New Ways; and New Roles, he complimented the Congress Committee on their efforts, once again, for delivering a top quality event.
Incoming President for 2001-2002, Rod Oxley, said that the Congress has always been an important feature in LGMA’s calendar of events.
“As well as providing continuing professional development and networking with colleagues, the Congress and Expo are also a great opportunity to view the latest products and services available,” he said. “In re-imaging ourselves as the LGMA, we acknowledge that our old title, the Institute of Municipal Management, served us well, but the name change is appropriate as we move forward as leading Local Government professionals.”
Federal Minister for Local Government, Senator Ian Macdonald, told delegates that in this Centenary of Federation year it is opportune to start looking forward to the next 100 years.
He urged Local Government to become actively involved in looking at how Australia should be governed in the future, pointing specifically to the question, do State Governments have a continuing role?
The Senator said that in 1974/5 the States provided 14.8 percent of funding to Local Government and the Commonwealth 10.5 percent. In 1997/8 the States’ contribution had dropped to 7.1 percent with the Commonwealth providing 12.1 percent.
“At the same time, Councils are now spending more on education, health and social welfare,” he said.“The States have reduced their financial support of Local Government yet transferred more responsibilities to it.”
The Minister said it was time to start looking for better ways for the three spheres to work together in the future.
“We may well be looking at two tiers, or three tiers, but with all constitutionally recognised and Local Government having a direct share of a growth tax.
“Local Government as the tier most directly affected should be doing some serious work on the directions we should be moving.”
Keynote speaker Dr Anne Summers continued along the same theme, stating that five months into the new millennium we need to be talking about our country – where we have come from and where we are going.
She described the 20th century as ‘an amazing epoch’, agreeing with those who assert it was ‘the very best and the very worst of times’.
“There was enormous creativity yet at the same time extensive wanton destruction occurred,” she said.
Dr Summers said that as a nation we are reluctant to celebrate our achievements, with the exception being on the sporting field. She pointed to the paradox of our achievements, including seven Nobel Prizes, numerous inventions, new technologies and social advances all originating here.
“We are unable to hold onto many of our inventions,” Dr Summers said. “With the money not here to support them, they go off shore. Each level of government must contribute to economic development initiatives to hold onto our brand and designs.
“Politicians are trying to convince the electorate that they are listening, but people are cynical of this with angry voters tipping governments out. Local Government officials, being closest to the people, are in the best position to be listening. You are at the coalface. You can tell the Federal and State Governments a lot, that is, so long as you can get them to listen to you!”
