A full list of all Resolutions is available on the ALGA website at www.alga.asn.au
Resolution 19: That the National Assembly seeks assurances from the Federal Government that:
1. the $100 million deferred from the 2002/03 Roads to Recovery funding program be reinstated at a level equivalent to the deferred amount plus additional funding to compensate for the change in the Consumer Price Index over the deferral period and thereby ensure that the level of funding is maintained in real terms;
2. the Roads to Recovery program be extended to continue beyond 2004/05 and indexed on an annual basis by the Consumer Price Index to ensure that funding is maintained in real terms.
CARRIED
Resolution 20: That:
1. The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) urges the Federal Government to provide, in addition to Roads to Recovery funding, local road bridges and major culverts replacement and major maintenance funding particularly for rural and regional municipalities as a ‘Bridging the Gap’ funding program;
2. ALGA urges the State and Territory Governments to provide funds as a matter of priority towards local roads bridges ‘Bridging the Gap’ program that at least matches the funding input provided by Local Government municipalities.
CARRIED
Resolution 23: That the Australian Local Government Association lobby both the State and Federal Governments to continue providing a solution to the enormous problem faced by Councils, community groups and individuals from the ever increasing insurance costs.
CARRIED
Resolution 31: The 2002 National General Assembly of Local Government calls on the Federal Government to revise the criteria for the Natural Heritage Trust Funds to enable Local Government to apply for direct funding of Council environmental projects at a local level.
CARRIED
Resolution 37: Noting the adoption by the Local Government session of the World Summit for Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, this General Assembly supports the Melbourne Principles for sustainable cities as a framework in Australia.
CARRIED
Resolution 38: ALGA notes the increasing emphasis of Local Government on environmental sustainability in Australian communities. ABS data confirms that Local Government expenditure in environmental management exceeds both State and Federal Government contributions. However, as sustainability requires a national commitment, ALGA calls on the Federal and State Governments to:
1. integrate sustainability principles into all aspects of public policy and ensure these are properly reflected in national indicators of prosperity and pricing structures;
2. consider if National Competition Policy methodology could apply to National Sustainability Policy; and
3. determine if ‘net community benefit’ as defined under National Competition Policy could be modified to include net environmental benefit.
CARRIED
Resolution 52: That this Assembly calls for Commonwealth funding to support a national discussion on population conducted by Local Governments at the Local Government level. Specifically, that the Commonwealth provide:
1. a framework for the debate including rationale and purpose;
2. resources to support local consultation and planning processes (funds for research and consultation);
3. a mechanism to collate and analyse local information at the national level (such as a conference, symposium or inquiry process);
4. a commitment to consider the national implications of findings from throughout Australia.
CARRIED
Resolution 53: That ALGA call upon the Federal Government to work closely with Local Government to develop appropriate responses to homelessness and substance misuse in public places, with particular attention to Local Government’s relevance to the National Homelessness Strategy (including the related initiatives of: National Drug Strategic Framework, National Alcohol Strategy and National Mental Health Plan).
CARRIED
Resolution 54: That the General Assembly call on ALGA to endorse the Youth Communiqué received by the Mayor of Alice Springs. The communiqué is an outcome of the Year of the Outback National On-Line Youth Muster conducted from the 19 July to 28 August 2002.
CARRIED
Resolution 58: That the Federal Government be requested to allocate Medicare Provider Numbers to rural communities to assist with the recruitment and retention of doctors in country areas. Furthermore, the new provider numbers have a compliance clause which ensures that the new provider numbers are not transferable from the district for which they are issued.And that the ALGA make representations to the Prime Minister and the Federal Minister for Health to urgently address the ongoing critical shortage of Specialists, Senior Medical Officers and Medical Practitioners with the necessary skills in regional and rural Australia and put in place Medical Practitioner Workforce Planning Strategies (including appropriate incentives) to address this national problem. Further, that this matter be listed for further consideration at the 2003 National General Assembly of Local Government to consider progress on this issue.
CARRIED
Resolution 76: That the Federal Government develop a longer term strategy to address the issue of Australia’s ageing population and in particular the increasing funding burden being placed on local Councils in meeting the service requirements of the frail and elderly. The strategy must be developed in partnership with State and Local Governments and identify and clearly articulate the roles and financial responsibility of each of the three levels of government.
CARRIED
Resolution 86: That ALGA express its strong protest at the rejection by the Commonwealth Government of the Fuel Taxation Inquiry and in particular the recommendation that would have included Local Government in the Diesel Fuel Rebate Scheme.
CARRIED
