The Good Oil by Rod Brown*
I am writing this three hours after the Oakeshott-Windsor press conference, and I am delighted. Not for Labor, but for Australia. I won’t bore you with my reasoning, but much of Canberra has already concluded that we’re facing a rocky and fascinating road for six to 12 months, followed by an election.
The mood here has been incredibly supportive of the three Independents, for blasting through the entrenched power and city centric policies of the major parties.
Katter, Oakeshott and Windsor are politicians at the top of their game. As I’ve been saying in this column for five years, rural interests have fallen victim to political correctness and the urban elites. These Independents now provide a collaborative model to ensure local interests are better reflected in policy and programs.
On behalf of the Cockatoo Network, I’d caught up with Rob Oakeshott and Tony Windsor at the National Press Club to provide our regional development policy prescription (outlined in last month’s column).
We’re now following up with this, and there are exciting opportunities for rural and urban councils if you wish to explore them with us. Unfortunately we’re not yet privy to the details of the package, but here’s my quick take:
- $1.8 billion in Health and Hospitals Fund – initially for regions only (is Hobart a region?)
- $500 million in Education Investment Fund – initially for regions only (you should chase more details)
- $41 million for regional GPs and Aboriginal medical services (already announced)
- $66 million to go to regional businesses and workers (this could be anything! Probably of marginal relevance)
- $173 million for regional schools (more BER wastage?)
- $1.4 billion for various infrastructure programs (not sure about this – could be old money)
- $6 billion regional infrastructure program, as announced during election campaign.
- $200 million for more affordable homes as announced (this is a crock, believe me)
- a pledge to keep broadband prices the same regardless of location (wasn’t this the intention?)
- regions to be prioritised in construction of National Broadband Network (watch this very closely).
Next month, I will walk you through the implications of all these commitments (or email me in the meantime). But here are my ten tips on what councils should be paying attention to.
1. A promise is a promise
Both parties made countless promises to councils beyond those listed above – they must be factored in and they should form the basis of your negotiating strategy with both the Government and the Opposition.
2. A better system of infrastructure planning and prioritisation
The current system is not understood or respected. BER and western Sydney transport systems put a stop to that. Councils should take the high ground. The ALGA should aim for a tripartite deal for regional infrastructure audits and a ten to 20 year infrastructure plan. Flagged with Oakeshott-Windsor.
3. Community Cabinet
A number of councils have very good cases for convening such meetings. We’ve been preparing submissions for councils, and will continue to do so. Ring me ASAP please.
4. Indigenous health and employment
Such a disaster area. Not enough room here to discuss properly.
5. Health and Hospitals Fund
A can of worms. If you have a deserving case, get your local member energised whatever his/her political persuasion. Contact us for help.
6. Investment attraction
I cannot yet access the Prime Minister’s package but surely the Federal Government must get involved in regional investment attraction. Regional councils should be seeking serious Federal support to help market their region. Talk about a program of trade and investment missions – both inwards and outwards – to introduce regions and specific regional proposals to the world. Flagged with Oakeshott-Windsor.
7. Reinforce the role of the Regional Development Australia Committees
City slickers haven’t got a clue about these 55 Committees scattered around Australia Flagged with Oakeshott-Windsor, and it now appears that Julia Gillard has twigged that they need a role and funding.
8. Call for a Parliamentary Enquiry on the development of regional budgets
The current maze of competitive programs and grants must be torched. It only sets one town or region against all others, and basically keeps 3,000 Canberra bureaucrats in a job. Councils should lobby for such an enquiry. Flagged with Oakeshott-Windsor.
9. Help the Feds help you focus on ‘people’ issues
Skills audits, workforce planning, links to immigration and settlement strategies, community development (important in attracting skilled people). Labor has made a mess of immigration policy, but Gillard is sympathetic to education and training. Flagged with Oakeshott-Windsor.
10. Choose five issues or projects only
Then involve both your local Federal and State member in addressing them. Remember that ‘collaboration’ is the new game in town, and your local member could be in a marginal electorate, especially now that the benefits of independent politicians have been brought to the fore.
Workshops
Now more than ever, councils should be brainstorming their options and developing strategies to maximise your positions with the Federal Government. This is what we do. Please contact us for more details.
**Rod Brown is a Canberra-based consultant specialising in industry/regional development, investment attraction, clusters and accessing Federal grants. He also runs the Cockatoo Network. He can be contacted at apdcockatoo@iprimus.com.au or phone (02) 6231 7261. Go to the blog at www.investmentinnovation.wordpress.com for 550+ articles on issues relevant to Local Government.
