A snap shot of key issues raised in the addresses by various Federal MPs at the General Assembly.
Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads, Jim Lloyd.
Minister Lloyd said that 2006 has been a year of high achievement in the Federal Government’s relationship with Local Government.
“The substantial funding provided by the Australian Government to Local Government, the Parliamentary Resolution and the Intergovernmental Agreement are a clear indication of the great importance that the Australian Government places on supporting Local Government,” he said.
The Minister said that the Federal Government provides more than $2 billion to Local Government each year. In 2006-07, this funding included $1,684 million in financial assistance grants and $307.5 million in Roads to Recovery grants. This is more than a 70 per cent increase in Local Government funding since the Howard Government came to office in 1996.
Minister Lloyd also recently announced the first successful applicants in the funding round of the $220 million AusLink Strategic Regional Programme.
“As I look through your Assembly’s Business Papers I see that 39 of the 46 resolutions call for action by the Australian Government in some form or another,” Minister Lloyd said. “While you should keep the pressure on the Australian Government, do not forget that States and Territories have to step up to the mark and assist you as well. Every single State and Territory Local Government Minister signed up to the IGA in March of this year, and it is something we need them and the Australian Government to honour.”
Then Deputy Opposition Leader, Jenny Macklin
“As I travel about Australia, people are telling me that regional Australia cannot survive unless it retains its skilled workers,” Jenny Macklin said. “It is vital for local businesses that young people are encouraged to stay in the regions and that older workers are able to get back into the workforce.”
She said there is a skilled shortage right across the spectrum of career areas with businesses taking longer and longer to fill vacancies.
“Training and skills development is so important in all localities,” Jenny Macklin said. “Education and training will continue to be Labor’s top priority. We see a central role for TAFE in building a world class training network in both our cities and country towns. Our 55 colleges of TAFE currently are providing courses for in excess of 1.6 million Australians.”
She said that TAFE is vital for regional Australia and it must be properly resources at the Federal level.
She said that a Labor Government would remove up front fees for all apprentices and childcare students, provide a $2,000 completion payment to completion of an apprenticeship – currently 40 per cent don’t complete their apprenticeships, provide more schools based apprenticeships and introduce trade taster programs at year 9 and 10 level.
Turning to broadband, Jenny Macklin said that fast broadband is crucial for suburbs and regional towns.
“It delivers major economic returns for local business, encourages new knowledge based start up enterprises, and provides online training opportunities,” she said. “But Australia is a broadband backwater. Your State of the Regions Report highlights this. Slow broadband means fewer jobs and lower paying jobs.
“In partnerships with the telecommunications industry, Labor with deliver a system that is 25 times faster. Faster broadband is what the Federal Government should be investing in.”
Shadow Minister for Housing, Urban Development, Local Government & Territories, Senator Kim Carr.
Senator Carr told delegates that a future Labor Government is committed to strengthening and buildings the relationship between Local Government and the Commonwealth Government.
“You are getting the very best out of public life for the people you represent,” he said. “But it is a cast iron imperative for all spheres of government to be working together to implement practical solutions for the issues we face as a nation.”
He pointed to the housing boom with many young families now unable to get into the housing market.
“Many young people believe they will never own their own home,” Senator Carr said. “Local Government can assist with housing affordability through streamlining approvals. Labor supports a national approach to cutting red tape and speeding up approvals by lodging applications online. This is not an attempt to undermine local planning processes rather Labor wants to support you in the way you do business.
“We will expand the Commonwealth/State Housing agreement to include Local Government.”
He said the recent Parliamentary Resolution recognising Local Government does not go far enough. “Labor moved to extend the motion to include Constitutional Recognition but this was defeated by the Government,” he said. “There was no legitimate reason for the Government not to support this. “People will be looking at the differences between the Liberal and Labor Parties in the lead up to the election next year. We see Local Government as a key player in building sustainable cities, towns and neighbourhoods through a national plan. We are also committed to sitting down with Local Government to produce funding arrangements to ensure your ongoing sustainability.”
Minister for Ageing, Senator Santo Santoro
As the only Minister for Ageing in the world, Santo Santoro said that Australia is is recognised internationally for the work it is doing for its older residents.
“Not only do we have a life expectancy that one of the three highest in the world, but we also have political and economic systems in place to manage our transition to an older population,” he said. “In just 20 years time, more than one third of our population will be older than 55. This shift from a young population to an older one will affect our economy, our health priorities, urban planning, housing, the nature of our recreation and so forth.”
He said in planning for this, the Australian Government released the National Strategy for an Ageing Australia in 2001. This provides a framework that underpins the development of appropriate economic and social policies.
The Federal Government also held the National Speakers Series from September 2005 to March of this year. The Series was called A Community for All Ages – Building the Future. It involved seminars and workshops to encourage the people and organisations involved in planning, designing and building communities to prepare for some of the changes that an ageing population will bring.
Minister Santoro released a report on the findings of the series, along with $250,000 to be spent in conjunction with ALGA to help develop age friendly communities. He said that funding is also available through the Office of an Ageing to develop National Planning Guidelines to create built environments that promote health and well being.
