Following the return of the Howard Government to office, I was delighted to be reappointed as the Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads and look forward to working with Local Government throughout Australia to progress the Government’s initiatives for effective local governance. As your Minister, I intend to listen to Local Government and take action to address the challenges it faces. It is also my intention to continue the process of convening an annual roundtable with Local Government Associations to hear first hand what issues need to be addressed and how I can assist in the process. I believe it is important that Local Government feels that it has the support of the Australian Government and the ear of its Minister.
Tsunami disaster relief
In response to the tsunami tragedy, the Australian Government through the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) is working with ALGA and international Local Government organisations to identify strategic opportunities for Local Government engagement in recovery phase activities. This will include investigation of the establishment of a facility to register and/or introduce/match councils from Australia with communities in affected areas.
Councils and individuals working with councils are encouraged to register their interest via the ALGA web site at www.alga.asn.au
The Hawker Report
One of my priorities will be to progress the Government’s response to the report on the Inquiry into Local Government and Cost Shifting (the Hawker Report). A working group comprising representatives from the State and Territory Local Government Associations and the Federal, State and Territory Departments of Local Government has been established to develop high level principles that could underpin an intergovernmental agreement and to look at reforms of the current financial and administrative arrangements which would address the issues associated with cost shifting onto Local Government. The working group will report back to the next meeting of the Local Government and Planning Ministers’ Council.
The focus of the reforms in response to the Hawker Report needs to be strengthening Local Government to improve its capacity to deliver services and to play a leadership role in local communities.
I see a great deal of value in exploring the options available to Local Government to borrow, including the possibility of those Local Governments in strong financial positions being given the opportunity to issue investment bonds to finance essential major local infrastructure.
The Australian Local Government Association’s State of the Regions Report, released in November 2004 has proposed a new infrastructure financing approach under which Local Government borrowings would increase. This needs to be looked at further.
2005 National Awards for Local Government
In November I had the great privilege of presenting the coveted Australian Government’s National Awards for Local Government at the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) National General Assembly in Canberra. The National Awards for Local Government reward and highlight the resourcefulness, commitment and extraordinary talent and vision in the Local Government sector.
The 2004 Award winners demonstrated innovation, excellence and leading practice in the use of technology, engineering, the environment, and in the boosting of local economies and strengthening community cohesion. These extraordinary efforts help, not only their local area but, importantly, provide superb models that can guide communities right across the country.
The 2005 Awards will be launched in early May and I urge all in Local Governments throughout Australia to use the Awards programme and associated Leading Practice Seminars to share their knowledge and celebrate their successes.
Partnerships with Local Government
Partnerships with Local Government are an important part of the Australian Government’s way of operating. They have proven to be very effective in the past and will continue to assist Local Governments to provide services to their communities into the future. There are several initiatives that were announced by the Howard Government in the lead up to the 2004 Federal election that will become a key part of our partnership with Local Government over the next few years. These include:
- Transport Reforms – The Roads to Recovery and National Black Spot programmes show the Australian Government’s commitment to making a major investment in Australia’s national transport network and preparedness to work with other levels of government on smaller strategic safety solutions.
- Natural disaster programmes – New bushfire awareness and mitigation funding initiatives amounting to $24 million complement existing Natural Disaster Relief programmes and will further assist communities to cope with environmental management and natural disasters.
- Reducing red tape for small business – Local Governments can seek allocations from a new $50 million Regulation Reduction Incentive Fund aimed at reducing red tape for home based businesses.
- Local Government security funding – The $49 million Local Government Security Partnership programme will increase capacity to prepare for and respond to disasters of all types and includes $16 million to strengthen the volunteer organisations in your local area.
The next twelve months promise to be an important period for Local Government in Australia. I am looking forward to facing the challenges with you.
