alga-logo
spacer
29 Feb 2008
spacer
» Australian Local Government Association
» Subscribe   » Archive   » Advertise   » Feedback
spacer

National Constitutional Summit - 8-11 December 2008, Melbourne

Story 1

The achievement of formal recognition remains one of the most cherished goals of local government, so we can finally take a seat at the federalism table as an equal partner with the states and the Commonwealth. The recognition of local government in the Constitution has been central to debate at successive National General Assemblies of Local Government.

The push to achieve constitutional recognition of local government has been given new impetus with the election, last November, of a Labor Federal Government. The Australian Labor Party went into the election with a commitment to consult, during its first term, with local government on the process for achieving constitutional recognition. ALGA President Cr Paul Bell says that this time we have a chance to get it right. "We must all work together to ensure we get a successful result," he said. "I strongly believe we now have our best opportunity for a generation."

ALGA, in consultation with state and territory local government associations, is convening a National Constitutional Summit at the end of this year to bring together councils to discuss and reach agreement on a position to put to the Federal Government. Prior to that Summit, meetings will be held at state and territory level to consider the issues in detail.

Recognition in the Australian Constitution is one of the most important challenges facing local government today. Note the dates of the National Constitutional Summit in your diary now to ensure you don't miss out on this important event. Venue and registration details will be included in forthcoming editions of 'ALGA News.'

ALGA President to attend 2020 Summit - Women and men of local government encouraged to nominate

Story 2

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has invited ALGA President Cr Paul Bell to attend the Australia 2020 Summit at Parliament House in Canberra on 19 and 20 April 2008. Topics to be discussed are the Australian Economy, Infrastructure, Sustainability and Climate Change, Rural Australia, Health, Communities and Families, Indigenous Australia, Creative Australia, Australian Governance, and Australia's Future in the World.

Cr Bell called on women and men in local government to join him at the Summit. Nominations have been extended to close of business today. Details of the formal nomination process can be found at the Australia 2020 Summit website at www.australia2020.gov.au

Cr Bell said local government was especially interested in the Australian Governance, Climate Change and Infrastructure topics. Discussions around infrastructure will include economic infrastructure, the digital economy and the future of our cities. This will look at ways to boost public and private investment in economic infrastructure; improve planning and coordination of infrastructure investment across different levels of government and the public and private sectors (including maximising the most efficient future design of our cities); and ensure that digital technologies are harnessed to improve consumer services, business productivity and the delivery of government services.

"I urge local government to come out in force to ensure we are represented at the Summit," Cr Bell said. "This is a fabulous opportunity to ensure that our views are heard by the national government in its consideration of the longer-term challenges facing Australia. I look forward to seeing you in Canberra on 19 and 20 April!"

Indigenous leader calls for better infrastructure and services for remote communities

story3

Indigenous leader and former Australian of the Year Galarrwuy Yunupingu has vowed to hold the Federal Government accountable for providing basic infrastructure. In a speech at Melbourne University, Mr Yunupingu highlighted the importance of basic infrastructure to his community and said the 99-year lease with the Federal Government would only be signed if the Government agreed to provide funding for housing, roads, education facilities, aged-care facilities, libraries and sporting ovals.

Mr Yunupingu said that over the past 20 years remote communities had missed out on infrastructure and services and have been left to fend for themselves. "I have made it clear that I will not be signing any lease unless I have guarantees from government that this time they will fulfil their end of the bargain," he said.

He also called on Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to enshrine Indigenous land and sea rights in the Constitution.

Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin unveiled a plan on Wednesday to allow more flexible leasing options for indigenous land with the possibility of 20 year leases rather than the current 99 year leases which were part of the previous government's changes to the Land Rights Act in 2006. She said the move would boost private home ownership and business creation by encouraging individual rather than group ownership of land.

Meanwhile the Australian Government has allocated $50 million to reduce alcohol and substance abuse and its impact on families, safety and community wellbeing in remote Indigenous communities.

This is the implementation of the Government's commitment at last December's COAG meeting of $50 million nationwide over four years for substance and alcohol rehabilitation and treatment services across Australia, particularly in remote areas. This commitment builds on COAG's investment of $49.3 million over four years announced in July 2006 to address drug and alcohol use in Indigenous communities.

The recently convened COAG working group on Indigenous Reform will deliver Commonwealth/State Implementation Plans to the March COAG meeting. The plans will ensure that the implementation of election commitments in health, education and housing address Indigenous disadvantage where appropriate.

The Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, said the Federal Government was committed to tackling the issue of alcohol abuse in Indigenous communities. "However, we recognise that this is a crisis that will not be tackled overnight. It requires a substantive, sustained effort, with a commitment to the long term," she said. "We are determined to close the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non Indigenous Australians within a generation. Much needs to be done, but this is an important step."

Following the historic apology to the Stolen Generations in Parliament recently, Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson has agreed to work with the Federal Government on practical initiatives to tackle Indigenous disadvantage including a bipartisan approach to Indigenous housing issues.
From the President

This year the ALGA Board has framed the issues facing local government with our '4 Fs' Campaign - fair funding, fair treatment, formal recognition and future challenges (including climate change and water). These are the themes which define our Budget submission and our the key topics in our discussions with the Rudd Government.

We have an excellent opportunity to further push our case at the Prime Minister's Australia 2020 Summit at Parliament House on 19 and 20 April which has the worthy aim of helping to help shape a long term strategy for the nation's future.

I am a strong believer of being "inside the tent" shaping policy directions, rather than carping from the sidelines. This belief is what has cemented ALGA's position as the preeminent national body representing local government. Our advocacy extends to 14 Ministerial Councils including COAG where we influence national policy by bringing to the table local government's interests and concerns on a wide range of issues, including social policy, housing affordability, aged care, waste management, pandemic planning, transport, the environment, climate change, infrastructure and urban congestion.

Whatever your feelings about the workability of bringing together 1000 leading Australians to debate what the Government has determined are the 10-most critical issues facing the nation, we need to be a part of it.

Local government, being the closest sphere of government to the community, has a unique perspective on the challenges which require long-term responses from the nation beyond the usual three year electoral cycle. Today is the last day to nominate for those wishing to participate. I understand the financial pressures facing many councils and the stresses you are under, however, if possible I urge you to join me in Canberra on 19 and 20 April. The website is: www.australia2020.gov.au

The 10 areas nominated by the Federal Government are:

  1. Future directions for the Australian economy - including education, skills, training, science and innovation as part of the nation's productivity agenda
  2. Economic infrastructure, the digital economy and the future of our cities
  3. Population, sustainability, climate change and water
  4. Future directions for rural industries and rural communities
  5. A long-term national health strategy - including the challenges of preventative health, workforce planning and the ageing population
  6. Strengthening communities, supporting families and social inclusion
  7. Options for the future of indigenous Australia
  8. Towards a creative Australia: the future of the arts, film and design
  9. The future of Australian governance: renewed democracy, a more open government (including the role of the media), the structure of the Federation and the rights and responsibilities of citizens
  10. Australia's future security and prosperity in a rapidly changing region and world

Cr Paul Bell AM
ALGA President

Rail level crossing safety

Australia's Transport Minister have unanimously agreed to approve a national rail reform package, which includes joint audits of level crossing safety risks by road and rail-track owners and operators.

The new laws, developed by the National Transport Commission (NTC), require rail operators, rail infrastructure managers, road authorities and the owners/managers of private roads to jointly identify, assess and manage safety risks at level crossings and other road-rail interfaces.

State and Territories are expected to implement the necessary legislation by mid 2008. A three year transitional period (after commencement of legislation) will apply, with priority on high risk/high incidence level crossings.

The new laws, when they come into place, have considerable implications for councils that own and mange level crossings although there is a three year implementation period. Implications for local government will vary between jurisdictions depending on the ownership/management arrangement for rail lines in each state and territory.

In broad terms the laws will mean that, councils as managers/owners of public roads will need to reach agreement with rail infrastructure managers on the way they will jointly manage risks at road and rail crossings. This agreement is to be in the form of a document called an Interface Agreement in which the process for managing risks "so far as reasonably possible" by both parties will documented.

Local Government has supported these reforms in principle because of concerns with safety at level crossing and the potential for catastrophic results when accidents occur. Local government however has expressed concerns during the development of these new laws that there is the potential for the Interface Agreements to become administratively complex or be one-sided because of local government limited ability to negotiate with large rail infrastructure managers.

It is pleasing for that reason to see that there is to be considerable flexibility in the Agreements. This includes the ability for a group of councils along a rail line to develop to develop a single Agreement or model Agreements to be developed by a rail safety regulator or a local government association with particular information about individual crossings in a schedule to the agreement.

More details of the reforms can be found on the NTC website.

Building stronger communities

The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education has recently published a book of relevance to local government - "Building stronger communities, research informing policy and practice" - edited by Lesley Doyle, Peter Welsh, David Adams and John Tibbitt (ISBN 978 1 86201 345 2 ?19.95/US$38.00/?32.00.)

The book demonstrates how the development of new initiatives to strengthen communities is benefiting from improved dialogue between the practice and university-based research communities. Governments at all levels all over the world are committed to strengthening communities - that is, improving neighbourliness, mutual support and economic activity in the largest cities and the smallest rural settlements. In this book, researchers, policy-makers and practitioners demonstrate, in a wide variety of settings, how they have developed new initiatives to strengthen communities, concentrating particularly on the role of education and training.

More information is available on this title at website where it can also be purchased.

Dementia Research Forum in Sydney

The second Annual National Dementia Research Forum will be held at the Wesley Conference Centre in Sydney 18-19 September 2008. This year, we have been able to engage four international speakers and the program will include a variety of sessions: plenaries, workshops, poster sessions, a hypothetical, a breakfast with the experts and a working lunch for emerging researchers.

A program, registration form and call for poster abstracts is available from our website .

Infrastructure Australia

The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Anthony Albanese, has announced the appointment of Sir Rod Eddington as the chair of Infrastructure Australia. Mr Albanese will announce the other 11 members of the board, including a representative with local government experience, when the legislation goes through the Senate on March 20.

Mr Albanese said the new body would work to develop long term solutions for infrastructure bottlenecks and invest in the nation's transport, water, energy and communication assets.

Sor Eddington worked for five years as CEO of British Airways. As chair of a 12 member advisory council, he will be responsible for ensuring Infrastructure Australia:

  • Completes an audit of nationally significant infrastructure by the end of the year;
  • Develops an Infrastructure Priority List to guide billions of dollars of public and private investment; and
  • Advises on the removal of disincentives to greater investment in public infrastructure.
Holroyd City Council gets behind national mobile phone recycling initiative

Recycling your old mobile phone is now easier, with Holroyd City Council joining the nationwide MobileMuster program.

Collection points have been established in the area and local residents are encouraged to clean out their drawers of unwanted mobile phone, batteries and accessories.

MobileMuster is the official recycling program of the mobile phone industry, and is funded by 16 leading mobile phone manufacturers and network carriers.

"Our goal is to raise community participation and lift our recycling levels to 1.5 million mobile phones and batteries a year by 2008" says Rose Read, Manager of Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association national recycling program, MobileMuster.

For further information go to www.mobilemuster.com.au

President urges Qld voters to try to 'put the hurt behind them'

Local government elections on March 15 would give voters a one-off opportunity to put their stamp on the future of their regions, Local Government Association of Queensland president, Cr Paul Bell, said today.

Cr Bell said postal ballots from the Electoral Commission Queensland were likely to be landing in voters' letterboxes from today.

"For many who have fought long and hard against the state government's imposition of forced amalgamation on councils, it will be difficult to put the hurt behind them," Cr Bell said.

"The state-wide plebiscites, initiated by the former federal government, showed conclusively that the Beattie government-driven forced amalgamations were unpopular across the state," he said.

"However, the new councils are a legislative reality. Now is the time to put the past behind us and focus on the future.

"It's vital that - however devastating the state government's decision has been for some - voters in communities state-wide don't give up their opportunties to exercise their democratic rights.

"The new councils need their mandates and legitimacies to be encouraged by local communities. The only way this will happen is if we have a large turn-out of voters determined to put their marks on the future of their communities," Cr Bell said.
Qld Liberal Leader supports constitutional recognition for local government

Qld Liberal Leader Mark McArdle has come out strongly supporting constitutional recognition for local government.

Mr McArdle's support follows comments by Nationals Leader and Shadow Local Government Minister Warren Truss, a former councillor, who said he was 'generally supportive' of the concept of constitutional recognition.

Speaking in Qld Parliament this week, Mr McArdle said that a clearer delineation of roles and responsibilities of all levels of government was needed. "Despite signing an historic Intergovernmental Agreement on Cost Shifting in 2006, there has been little evidence of a consultative and truly collaborative approach to working with local governments in Queensland," he said.

"No level of government in Australia is more accessible and relevant to Australians than their local council...Current discussions about constitutional reform provide a timely opportunity to revisit the issue of legitimising the role of local councils... Progressing this further will need a bi-partisan approach and I will work tirelessly to achieve it."

"I support Australian government reform. I recognise local government exists. And, I unashamedly support the constitutional recognition of local government. The omission of local government in the Australian Constitution is an historical oversight that needs to be corrected."

Submissions for skills training open soon

The Australian Government has officially launched the Productivity Places Program to fund 20,000 new skills training places from 1 April 2008. Registered Training Organisations interested in participating in the Productivity Places Program can access expression of interest forms.

Areas of focus will include mining and construction; health and community services; motor mechanic; personal and other service industries.

The Productivity Places Program is the first step in the Government's election commitment to provide an additional 450,000 training places over the next four years.

The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) is seeking submissions from RTOs wishing to offer approved qualifications under the Productivity Places Program. Submissions can be made from 7 March 2008. For further information go to: www.dest.gov.au/productivityplaces

Skills Australia Bill introduced into Parliament

The Skills Australia Bill 2008 was introduced into the House of Representatives on 13 February, 2008. The Bill establishes Skills Australia, a new statutory body that will provide independent advice to the Government on current, emerging and future workforce development and workforce skills needs. The relevant links to the Bill, Explanatory Memorandum and second reading speech can be accessed via BillsNet, which is at www.aph.gov.au/bills/ When Bills have been passed they can be found at ComLaw, which is at www.comlaw.gov.au/.

Rail freight boost for Victoria

Victoria's rail freight industry has been boosted by a $20 million state government package to keep container and export grain freight on rail. Premier John Brumby said the two-year rail freight deal would give a temporary rebate for container freight on rail services from Warrnambool, Horsham, Mildura and Shepparton/Tocumwal.

Schools help National Reconciliation

The Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Program for Schools was launched this week at Giralang Primary School in Canberra, with eight "trailblazer" schools already committed to specific, measurable activities in three central areas of reconciliation: building respectful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people; respecting Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture; and creating opportunities to support Indigenous people succeed for the benefit of all Australians.

The RAP program was first launched by Reconciliation Australia in 2006 as a forward-looking aspect of the 40th anniversary of the 1967 referendum. The program encourages and supports diverse organisations from large corporates like Qantas, ANZ and BHP Billiton to hospitals and local councils to determine actions they will take to help close the gap.

National Reconciliation Week is held from 27 May-3 June. For more info and copies of the School RAP model, go to www.reconciliation.org.au

The 11th International Riversymposium - September 1 - 4

Call for papers closing this Friday 29 February.

Don't miss the opportunity to potentially showcase your work at the internationally acclaimed Riversymposium. Head to the website to view guidelines and templates on how to submit an abstract.

Thiess Riverprize Awards close 28 March

Awarded in partnership with the Riverfestival and International Riverfoundation for outstanding achievement in the restoration and preservation of rivers and waterways across the world. 2008 International Thiess Riverprize valued at AUD$350 000 and 2008 National Thiess Riverprize at AUD$150 000.

Check out the guidelines and nomination forms at our website or email Carla Mathisen, Riversymposium Coordinator on carla@majorbrisbanefestivals.com.au.

2008 Riversymposium Young Water Scientist Award

The 2008 Riversymposium Young Water Scientist Award promotes excellence in the development of young scientists who are capable researchers, communicators and innovative thinkers.

Postgraduate research PhD students who are either in the final stages of their projects or who have submitted their theses since 1 March 2007 on research topics relating to water are invited to apply to the International Riversymposium organisers by 15th April 2008.

For more information on the award, go to website or email Celeste, Riversymposium Registrar and Coordinator - celeste@majorbrisbanefestivals.com.au.

NSW LGSA calls for more transparency

Questions over developer donations are further evidence any proposed changes to planning should make the system more accountable and transparent, say the Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW.

The State Government has recommended 90 changes to the NSW planning system.

"There is a perception that under current arrangements all spheres of Government are prone to influence by donations from developers," President of the Local Government Association of NSW, Cr Genia McCaffery said.

"The property industry's call for removing councillors from the process however will not improve the efficiency of planning, nor make the system more transparent.

"The answer is to tighten the rules and regulations governing political donations to restore public confidence in the process. We also clearly need to speed up development assessment times, but that shouldn't be at the expense of neighbours' rights.

"The Associations have been saying all along that the focus of any changes must make the system more accountable and transparent, and create communities where people want to live. We would be happy to work with the State Government to achieve this goal."

The Associations have sent the Minister for Planning, Frank Sartor an alternative model in response to the Government's Discussion paper on the Planning Reform Agenda.

"Various changes recommended by the State Government to the NSW planning system would significantly benefit developers," President of the Shires Association of NSW, Cr Bruce Miller said.

Review into health system emphasises responsibility

The head of a new review into the health system has warned Australians they need to take more responsibility for their own health.

Health spending could be slashed if governments put greater emphasis on preventative care and individuals took greater responsibility for their own wellbeing, Christine Bennett said today.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd - who was today meeting health workers in Tasmania's north - wants the new national health commission to develop a plan to tackle long-term health and hospital system problems.

Dr Bennett said the review would focus on preventative care in a bid to keep the health budget sustainable.

About 50 or 60 per cent of the health system burden related to individuals' health behaviour and lifestyle choices.

The commission will deliver preliminary findings by late April to drive negotiations of the next state-federal funding agreements.

Its interim report will be delivered at the end of the year and a final report by the middle of next year.

Health Minister Nicola Roxon said the government wanted the commission's input into performance measures that could be incorporated into the next funding agreement.

Ms Roxon said the commonwealth was prepared to consider boosting funding to state and territory governments, but was not prepared to provide a "blank cheque".

Labor warned last year it would take over state hospitals if improvements weren't made within two years. (AAP).

NT Local Government Reform Bill introduced to Parliament

The Local Government Reform Bill has been introduced to the Northern Territory Parliament by the new Minister for Local Government. The legislation will see the amalgamation of smaller councils and unincorporated areas of the Northern Territory into 8 large shires. The Northern Territory Local Government Association says there is wide support for local government reform in the NT but many feel that the timing for shire council elections in October is too late in the year. In a recent survey of councils 94% of respondents agreed that elections should be brought forward to July.

Quote of the week

"I welcome the contribution local government can make to realising the Government's significant agenda of reform and look forward very much to working with you and others involved in local government to this end."
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in a letter to ALGA President, Cr Paul Bell (dated 21/2/08)

State of the Regions report 2006-07
Forthcoming events

For a full listing of forthcoming events, see ALGA's Events calendar.
ALGA News can be read online each week at www.alga.asn.au/news.aspx
Editor: newscomments@alga.asn.au Tel: 02 6122 9434.
Australian Local Government Association - 8 Geils Court, Deakin, ACT, 2600.
Copyright © 2001 Australian Local Government Association. ISSN 1447-980X 		spacer spacer spacer Advertise in ALGA News
Unsubscribe
spacer