This is a timely opportunity for me to cover a number of important issues and various changes impacting on Local Government which have occurred over the last few months at the Australian Government level. These include the appointment of a new Minister for Transport and Regional Services – the Hon Warren Truss MP, the tabling of the Government’s response to the Hawker Report, the recent meeting of the Local Government and Planning Ministers’ Council and the category award winners of the 2005 National Awards for Local Government.
New Minister for Transport and Regional Services
There have been some ministerial changes in the Australian Government due to the recent resignation of John Anderson. Mr Anderson was a fine colleague and great Minister. His time as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services saw the introduction of the Roads to Recovery Programme, one of the most effective and well received programmes for Local Government in recent decades.
I know that John Anderson is proud of his achievement in establishing the original Roads to Recovery Programme, and in having a second Roads to Recovery Programme introduced by the Howard Government. Mr Anderson also led the introduction of a number of regional grants programmes and these have also proved to be a most effective mechanism for assisting local projects, particularly in regional areas. Many of these projects have been originated and/or supported by Local Government.
Space does not allow me to list all of Mr Anderson’s achievements during his time on the front bench, but Local Government has certainly been a winner as a result of his efforts since the election of the Howard Government in 1996.
I would like to congratulate my colleague Warren Truss on taking over the reigns from John Anderson. Mr Truss has a great deal of experience both as a Minister, having been responsible for Customs and Consumer Affairs, Community Services, and most recently for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and in Local Government prior to his election to Federal Parliament in 1990. Mr Truss was a member of Kingaroy Shire Council from 1976 to 1990, and Chair of that Council from 1983 to 1990. He was also President of the Burnett District Local Government Association from 1989 to 1990 and President of the South Burnett Local Government Association for the periods 1984 to 1985 and 1989 to 1990.
I am looking forward to a productive working relationship with Mr Truss, particularly on Local Government and roads issues.
Government response to the Hawker Report
The Government response to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics, Finance and Public Administration inquiry into cost shifting, Rates and Taxes: A Fair Share for Responsible Local Government, known as the Hawker Report, was tabled in Parliament on 22 June 2005. By now all Local Governments should have received a copy of the response.
Developing an intergovernmental agreement to help stop cost shifting on to Local Government, a study into the barriers to Local Government own source revenue raising, and recognition of Local Government by Federal Parliament are key features of the response.
The Commonwealth Grants Commission will be asked to review the interstate distribution of the local roads component of the financial assistance grants to ensure fairness to all States and Territories.
The Australian Government will continue to explore opportunities to further develop partnerships with Local Government to the benefit of local communities.
The Government’s response represents a beginning to the reform of Federal/Local Government relations.Preliminary work has already begun between the Australian, State/Territory and Local Government representatives to develop a meaningful intergovernmental agreement, which will seek to ensure fair and proper arrangements are negotiated when services and responsibilities are transferred to Local Government.
Local Government and Planning Ministers’ Council
The Local Government and Planning Minister’s Council (LGPMC) met in Melbourne on 4 August to discuss a number of issues including the development of the intergovernmental agreement. It was decided to hold a special meeting of the Ministerial Council in March 2006 to consider a draft of the intergovernmental agreement. The meeting endorsed policy objectives for the future performance of Australia’s Cities and Towns and a forward work program over the next five years will be undertaken by the Planning Official Group on this issue.
The LGPMC reviewed the finalised Leading Practice Model for Development Assessment and agreed that the Model is an important reference for individual jurisdictions in advancing reform of development assessment. The LGPMC also considered a report on infrastructure and related needs arising in communities affected by rapid population growth.
Further work will be undertaken to identify the main issues faced by rapid growth Councils, including a stocktake of current State/Territory approaches to addressing those issues. The communiqué from the LGPMC meeting is available at www.dotars.gov.au/lgpmcouncil/communique.aspx
National Awards for Local Government
I would like to congratulate all the category winners and those who received commendations for the 2005 National Awards for Local Government. The category winners will be eligible for consideration for a National Award, judging for which has recently taken place, with winners to be announced in November. The range of projects and the innovation evidenced in the award entries is a tribute to Local Government throughout Australia. A full list of the 2005 category winners and commendations is available at www.dotars.gov.au/localgovt/nalg/
