“ALGA is ready and able to work closely with the new Federal Government,” said President of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), Councillor Paul Bell, at the opening of the 14th National General Assembly of Local Government.
Staged in Darwin from 26–29 November, this year’s event marked ALGA’s 60th anniversary and attracted more than 600 delegates representing Councils from across the nation. Under the banner of the conference theme, ‘A Climate for Change’, a broad range of issues impacting Local Government were explored under three headings – political climate, financial climate and natural climate.
“We will be one of the first groups to knock on the new Ministers’ offices, in a spirit of close collaboration and cooperation,” Councillor Bell said. “Though we will have our differences, we will attempt to resolve these behind the scenes with frank and fearless discussions.
“We will work hard to achieve positive outcomes to benefit all Australian communities.”
Councillor Bell said top priorities include the implementation of a four year, $250 million per annum Local Community Infrastructure Renewals Fund; advancing the long held ambition for Constitutional Recognition; and fighting for fair funding and a portion of direct taxation revenue. He said last year’s conference theme, ‘Pushing the Agenda’, spurred much momentum in these areas over the last 12 months.
“While we are in a stronger position than last year in terms of advancing our agenda, we will continue to work closely with the new Rudd Government to ensure Local Government, with its $14.5 billion infrastructure backlog, is at the front of the decision makers’ minds,” Paul Bell said. “It is an issue which must be urgently addressed. Infrastructure is the glue that holds our communities together.”
Councillor Bell said Local Government must now build on the recognition and momentum it has achieved and ensure this is translated into good policy.
“To achieve this end, we will work closely not only with Ministers but also with their engine rooms, the Federal Government departments,” he said. “We will strengthen our existing partnerships and work closely to achieve a large scale roll out of broadband, urban transport, housing affordability, financial reform and improved Federal/State relations, airport planning, along with sea change and coastal zone management.”
Councillor Bell said Local Government will also use its seat on the Council of Australian Government (COAG) to continue to push for reform, and in particular a fair share of taxation revenue.
“The amount of untied financial assistance grants to Local Government has declined from 1.2 per cent of total taxation revenue 12 years ago to 0.6 per cent last year,” he said. “An annual funding injection of a billion dollars is needed to bring Local Government back to 1994 levels.”
He urged Councils to continue to keep up the pressure and continue to lobby to ensure the gains of the past year are multiplied and reflected in Budget statements, policy announcements and in the building of new infrastructure in 2008.
“While the election is over, this is not the time to cool our heels,” Paul Bell said. “This Assembly is a platform to show the power house that is Local Government in Australia. With a budget of two per cent of the nation’s GDP and assets of more than $183 billion, we are a serious and respected player in the national arena.
“All I ask from each one of you is the means to get the job done. We have come a long way but there are many important challenges ahead.”
