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31 Oct 2008
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Call for broader federal reform agenda

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A conference in Tenterfield at the weekend, coinciding with the anniversary of Sir Henry Parkes' Federation Oration in 1889, has called on the Commonwealth and State Governments to broaden their federalism reform agenda.

Conference co-host and Griffith Law School Senior Lecturer, Dr A J Brown said it was clear Commonwealth and State discussions needed to pay more attention to ways to make the federal system work better in the medium and long-term, including by addressing the roles of local government and better regional arrangements.

'The future role, authority, resourcing and accountability of local government needs to be high on the agenda, and this would be facilitated by recognition of local government in the Commonwealth Constitution', Dr Brown said.

'Our opinion polling shows that public support for a more strategic approach to reform is high, including widespread support for constitutional recognition of local government so long as issues of resourcing and accountability are addressed.'

ALGA President Cr Paul Bell addressed the conference, saying that recognition of local government was the 'unfinished business' of Federation. (See 'From the President' column.)

The conference suggested that COAG should issue a paper which describes in broad terms the current distribution of roles and responsibilities across all levels of governance, including local and regional levels, to inform public debate and to better identify problem areas.

The conference also addressed the need for better collaboration, noting that a national approach is not necessarily the sole responsibility of the national government. Sub-national governments - whether state of local or something in between - can usefully contribute to national issues and, in many cases, must do so if a balanced, effective and sustainable approach is to be taken.

A complete summary report from the conference, is available at: www.griffith.edu.au/federalism.

Registration is open for ALGA's Constitutional Summit on December 8-11 in Melbourne where local government will discuss constitutional recognition and develop its position on the favoured approach at www.alga.asn.au/constitutionalrecognition/

(Photo: ALGA President Cr Paul Bell with Cr Mal Peters and Mayor Toby Smith.)

Meeting with Parliamentary Secretary Gary Gray

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ALGA President Cr Paul Bell met recently with the Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Northern Australia, Gary Gray. Mr Gray briefed Cr Bell on progress in relation to Regional Development Australia which was formally announced by the Federal Government in March. The Government has announced that Area Consultative Committees (ACCs) would provide the basis for the creation of Regional Development Australia (RDA). The RDA Interim Board is scheduled to advise on principles and priorities for the new Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program by 31 October. The Interim Board met with the Minister in September to present its report on the role and functions of RDA and 'improving the engagement of regional communities, regional development organisations and local governments with the Australian Government.' Mr Gray emphasised that local government was integral to the Government's plan to invest in the future of Regional Australia and would be linked into RDA. This was foreshadowed by the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Anthony Albanese in March when he said: 'We shall also want to discuss with the Interim Board ways to ensuring closer ties with the local government sector.' Cr Bell said he was looking forward to hearing more about how local government would be involved and consulted at the upcoming Australian Council of Local Government.

Nationals vote for constitutional recognition

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Constitutional recognition for local government was unanimously supported at the Nationals Federal Council meeting last weekend.

The motion proposed by Senator Barnaby Joyce and passed by the Council was: "That this Federal Council of the Nationals calls for a referendum to include local government in the Australian Constitution."

Senator Joyce said constitutional recognition of local government was a very important issue and he felt Australia should move towards a model of federal and regional governments, with more relevant boundaries. "The current boundaries are determined by arbitrary lines on the map," he said. "A couple of hundred years ago a certain boat landed on a certain beach and an arbitrary map was drawn up that became the state boundaries."

"It's just a fact of life that there's a move to centralise power in Australia which means that the role of Canberra has become bigger and bigger, and to protect the spread of powers we need to make sure that we enshrine in a greater way the role of local government," Senator Joyce said. "I think ultimately the states will disappear and it will just be federal government and local governments."

"We might as well get in front of it than be run over by it. [The diminishing role of states means that] it becomes crucial that we get a divestiture of powers back to a local government that is enshrined in the constitution. To be honest, I think that's what Australians want anyway. They want stronger local governments with real powers and direct appropriations from Canberra. We need to spread the power by reinvigorating local government."
From the President

Last Friday I was fortunate to speak at a conference at Tenterfield about the unfinished business of constitutional recognition for local government.

As many readers would know, Tenterfield played host to one of the most significant speeches in Australian history. It was at Tenterfield that Sir Henry Parkes, then Premier of New South Wales, called for Federation on 24th October 1889.

Federation was an idea that germinated into the flower of our nationhood in 1901, 12 years later after Parkes' speech. There is no doubt Parkes was a visionary and once the idea of a unified nation was out there it was unstoppable. Without wishing to draw too many parallels, we can all learn from the lessons of history and I believe there is a lesson here for us in local government in terms of presenting a case for reform, arguing it clearly and persuasively, and ensuring the best minds of the era - the 'experts' if you like - are involved in its implementation.

Local government has been building momentum for some time and with two referendums under our belt, this time we are determined to get it right and ensure local government is finally enshrined in our Constitution.

The role of local government has been evolving over the past few decades. Perhaps we can be a little sympathetic to the authors of the Constitution and the founding fathers of federation who looked at local government in the 1890s and asked whether it was really a sphere of government in its own right or whether it was simply a mechanism for looking after local roads and rubbish collection and local water and sewerage.

The answer to the question today is a resounding YES. Yes, local government is a sphere of government. In fact the role of local government has changed substantially in recent years.

The ability of local government to meet the needs of its communities will always be dependent on its ability to play an appropriate role in the Australian Federation and receive adequate funding.

Through ALGA, local government is deeply involved in intergovernmental relations and is part of the intergovernmental machinery which keeps the Australian Federation together. Through ALGA, local government has a seat at the Council of Australian Governments and in 13 Ministerial Councils.

Local government's engagement in these forums ensures that the role and views of the third sphere of government are heard and acknowledged and that local government is able to play an appropriate part in developing and implementing intergovernmental reforms and initiatives.

Our ability to play an appropriate role is however hostage to the legitimacy of our roles and responsibilities and the adequacy of our resources. Speaking bluntly, we in local government sit at the table as an invited guest rather than an equal partner and lack the fundamental legitimacy which flows from acknowledgment in the Constitution. For me, this is a powerful argument for reform of the Constitution - to strengthen our national unity and by giving local government a greater voice, our democracy will in turn be strengthened.

If you have not already done so, please register for ALGA's Local Government Constitutional Summit-A Special National General Assembly from 8 - 11 December to bring local government together to discuss and debate formal recognition and local government's place in the Constitution.

This year's Constitutional Summit program is designed to give delegates the maximum opportunity for participation; to ensure that all Australian communities and states are represented and to reflect on the views of other Councils.

The Constitutional Summit is the culmination of this process with the aim of developing a convincing and comprehensive case to take to the Australian Government.

Cr Paul Bell AM
ALGA President

Qld council marks road trauma sites

Logan City Council is to install special pickets to mark death or serious injury on roadsides to raise awareness of road safety.

The markers are standard roadside pickets but are painted black to indicate the site of a fatal crash or red for the site of an accident involving serious injury.

Each of the markers will carry a symbolic reflector.

Logan City's infrastructure committee chairwoman, Lynne Clarke, said it was unfortunate that people had to be reminded of road trauma, but if it reduced accidents it would be worthwhile.

"The primary objective of these safety markers is to remind motorists of the dangers of the roads, to drive to the marked speed limit and be aware of their surroundings," she said.

The council is free to install the markers on local roads but will need Department of Main Roads approval to place them on state-controlled roads. The pickets will mark the location of fatal and serious-injury crashes over the past three years within the city's boundaries.

Ms Clarke said the fatality markers had been used successfully in Tasmania and South Australia for a number of years. There were 22 fatalities in the Logan City area last year. Council will also investigate the installation of flashing school zone signs across the city.

PC wants drought assistance reform

The Productivity Commission says drought assistance should be reformed to stop inefficiency being rewarded. The Commission says bad farm managers who were least prepared for drought are being rewarded by payments with no strings attached.

In a draft report which is about to be released, it says payments should focus on improving farming practice, but it will recommend safety net payments. Australia's unprecedented drought means that some farmers have been receiving exceptional-circumstances assistance for more than six years. The report is the third part of a national review which includes studies predicting the impact of climate change on farming and rural communities.

Climate change poll

Australians view global warming as the most serious threat to the future well-being of the world and see drought as the most immediate environmental problem for Australia, according to the findings of the 3rd ANU poll.

However, the poll also shows that fewer are prepared to change their behaviour to protect the environment or to support the government's Emissions Trading Scheme.

The poll, which differs from other opinion polls by placing public opinion in a broad policy context, and by benchmarking Australia against international opinion, also found that Australians have made more environmental behaviour changes than their counterparts in the United Kingdom.

Professor Ian McAllister said the survey found that the vast majority of Australians have changed their behaviour in small ways to help the environment.

"Only 2 of the thousand people interviewed for the poll said they didn't participate in at least one environmental behaviour, such as recycling, conserving water or using energy saving light bulbs. But only 31 percent use public transport. This perhaps isn't surprising since it is much easier to make small incremental changes," Professor McAllister said. "Australians have a much higher degree of environmental behaviour that their British counterparts, where according to a 2002 British survey only 58 per cent recycle household rubbish.

The poll also found that Australians rate the economy and the environment as the two dominant problems facing the country, with the economy slightly ahead. At the time of the first ANU poll in March 2008, the environment was ranked first, followed by the economy. The results of ANU Poll are available at www.anu.edu.au/anupoll/

Treasury modelling on emissions trading

The Federal Government says early action to tackle climate change will reduce gross national product by just a tenth of a per cent a year, with the economy continuing to grow strongly.

Treasurer Wayne Swan has joined with Climate Change Minister Penny Wong to release details today of Treasury modelling about the economic impact of an emissions trading scheme.

The modelling's indicated that economies which act early will face 15 per cent lower long-term costs. The ministers say the earlier Australia acts, the cheaper the cost of action while a long delay risks damage to the economy.

The report's found average annual GNP growth will only be one tenth of one per cent less than it would be in a world without action to tackle climate change. It shows average households will pay an extra four to five dollars a week for electricity and an extra two dollars for gas and other fuels. Household incomes will still grow under emissions trading but at one per cent compared with 1.2 per cent without an ETS.

Gandhi street not on Gold Coast map

The Gold Coast Council vetoed a request to name a road after the Indian spiritual leader.

The US-based Gandhi Monument Council made the unusual plea to officials on the Australian glitter strip, asking them to rename one of their major streets, preferably to Mahatma Gandhi Marg (Marg meaning path).

Gold Coast City councillors opted not to support the request, saying street names were based on Australian historical or cultural significance and/or on those who had lived locally for a considerable time.

A spokesman said it was one of the more unusual requests received for street names.

Online service delivery forums

"e-Gateways to Government" is a nationwide series of 7 one-day forums in each capital city throughout November 2008 bringing Federal, State and Local Government together with business representative organisations to explore how online service delivery creates needed savings and efficiencies for government as well as business and citizens.

The forums series is supported by National Presenting Partner, the Federal Department of Innovation Industry, Science and Resources (DIISR) through its e-security and authentication service, VANguard.

This is a timely opportunity for Councils and Local Government organisations to hear about emerging multi-jurisdiction programs as well as showcasing existing or emerging Local Government initiatives in such areas as online regulation reduction and e-planning. The State forums will also feed in to "B2G Towards 2009" - a Canberra national forum summit in December.

Download the forum brochure from www.egateways.net

State of the Regions report 2006-07
Food labelling review

The twelfth meeting of the Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council was held in Adelaide this week, chaired by Jan McLucas, Parliamentary Secretary to the Australian Government Minister for Health and Ageing. The meeting was attended by ALGA Board Member Cr John Rich. At the meeting, the Ministerial Council considered a number of strategic policy and food standards issues and agreed to commission a comprehensive review of food labelling law and policy, investigate front of pack labelling and endorse the revised national food incident response protocol. In relation to trans fatty acids in the Australian and New Zealand food supply, the Ministerial Council agreed that the trans fatty acids survey, currently coordinated by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), should include dietary intake assessment based on the latest results on the National Children’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey. FRSC is to report back on the survey results and provide a progress report on the voluntary initiatives by industry to reduce trans-fat intake to the Ministerial Council at its next meeting.

NSW President returned

The mayor of North Sydney Council Cr Genia McCaffery has been returned as President of the Local Government Association of NSW.

"I have the greatest respect for councillors, for their hard work and dedication to their communities. I will use the next two years to promote all the good things they do and to fight for a fairer share of funding so we can build the roads, parks and libraries our communities need and deserve," Cr McCaffery said.

"Improving the relationship between the state government and local government will also continue to be a priority, and I have been encouraged by undertakings from the Premier, his ministers and the Opposition that they will work closely with me and my colleagues."

This will be Cr McCaffery's third term as President of the Local Government Association of NSW. She has been the popularly elected mayor of North Sydney since 1995.

Telecommunications report

The first report of the Regional Telecommunications and Independent Review Committee (the Committee) on the adequacy of telecommunications services in regional, rural and remote parts of Australia was released by Minister Conroy on 15 October 2008. The report is 'Framework for the Future' and follows a wide consultation process that commenced with the release of a discussion paper in August 2007.

ALGA lodged a submission to the Committee in June 2008, underlining the importance of modern telecommunications (and broadband in particular) for local communities and the sphere of government that is closest to them - local government. Within this overarching objective, ALGA noted three issues which local government considers fundamental when discussing telecommunications:

  • The community's access to modern telecommunications infrastructure;
  • The importance of promoting e-business, and improved facility of local government services through access to and use of the infrastructure; and
  • Advancing local government as part of 'joined-up' government.

The Committee, which comprises Dr Bill Glasson AO (Chair), and Cr Bruce Scott (Mayor of the Shire of Barcoo, Queensland), Ms Alexandra Gartmann, Mr Mark Needham and Mrs Josephine Stone AM, concluded that whilst ?there have been dramatic improvements in telecommunications services in regional Australia in recent years,' more needs to be done. It has made some 45 recommendations to the Australian Government, with a number of them to the effect that the Australian Government should work more closely with state and local governments to ensure more effective results can be achieved.

Some of the recommendations have particular significance for local government. For example, the Committee has recommended that the Australian Government facilitate greater involvement of local governments in the design and delivery of initiatives to promote greater access to telecommunications infrastructure in their area and 'encourage and enable local councils to play a stronger role with regard to the location and removal of payphones in their area,' which has been a key concern for local and regional communities.

ALGA is currently examining the Committee's recommendations in detail.

A copy of the report can be accessed at www.rtirc.gov.au

Growth area councils make a united front

With one in four Australians currently living in a metropolitan growth area, and that figure expected to rise to one in three in the next 20 years, the National Growth Areas Alliance (NGAA) was formed to ensure these people are supported with the necessary facilities and infrastructure.

The Alliance, which represents one in four Australians was initiated by the national growth councils, including Whittlesea, in early 2007. The council recognised that the issues it had identified as one of the fastest growing municipalities in Melbourne were similar to those of councils in similar proximities to Brisbane, Sydney and Perth. The council and the other municipalities together formed a united front to make the case for Federal Government buy in for the future of outer suburban areas in capital cities.

Construction costs and rates

Rapid increases in general construction costs have been identified in an independent report as the major cost factor in Queensland local government rate increases, according to Local Government Association of Queensland president, Cr Paul Bell.

"Morton Consulting's report on rating trends in the state's local government from 1997/98 to 2006/07 has shown general rate levies per capita increased by 51 per cent. However, in real terms - given CPI increases - local government rates per capita increased by 16 per cent over the same period," Cr Bell said.

"Over the same period, general construction costs rose by 57 per cent," he said.

"In many regional areas, such as mining regions, construction costs rose by far greater margins. Councils are facing continuing cost pressures."

Rate pegging review

The NSW Premier has said he would consider removing rate pegging of local government.

Premier Rees made the promise during his keynote address on the first day of the Local Government Association Annual Conference in Broken Hill.

Currently rate pegging limits how much councils can charge in rates. NSW is the only state in Australia that has it and up until now the Government has ruled out removing it.

"The Premier has proved he is committed to better services and facilities for NSW residents and a positive relationship with local government by considering the removal of rate pegging," President of the Local Government Association, Cr Genia McCaffery said.

"Rate pegging makes it difficult for local councils to build the roads, footpaths and playgrounds our communities need."

Premier Rees also committed to lobbying the Federal Government for a fairer share of taxation revenue for local government.

MobileMuster awards

MobileMuster is inviting local councils nationwide to show off their mobile phone recycling efforts by entering the 2008 MobileMuster Local Government Awards.

MobileMuster, the official recycling program of the mobile telecommunications industry, launched the awards in 2007, with the aim of recognising the outstanding efforts by local councils in promoting and collecting mobile phones, batteries, chargers and accessories for recycling.

Winners of the five awards will be announced during the Local Government Constitutional Summit - a special National General Assembly, which will be held at the Melbourne Convention Centre from 8 December - 11 December 2008.

Councils are welcome to nominate for three of the five categories, including Best Promoter, Working with Schools, Top Collector/Recycler (overall and per population) and the National Excellence Award. Councils can register for the Best Promoter, Working with Schools and National Excellence categories. Nominations are open until Wednesday 19 November 2008. For more information or to nominate online go to www.mobilemuster.com.au or call 1300 730070.

Minister's aged care awards

The Federal Government has announced the Minister's Awards for Excellence in Aged Care.

The awards will identify world best practice in aged and community care in Australia.

Official award nominations will be called for next month with advertisements in national newspapers. Nominations will close February 2, 2009. Awards are open to individuals and organisations across aged and community care including Commonwealth-subsidised nursing homes and hostels, Community Aged Care Package Providers and Extended Aged Care at Home Providers as well as Home and Community Care. Details here.

Quote of the week

Be wary of the man who urges an action in which he himself incurs no risk
Joaquin Setanti

International news  

The Mumbai City Council has acquired a new weapon to combat the increasingly putrid stench emanating from two of the city's biggest rubbish dumps: 42,000 litres of deodorant.

The Deonar dump covers more than 120 ha. Locals fired a petition with the High Court complaining that the stink was intolerable. The city council is also growing increasingly concerned about the risk of disease. Sandeep Rane, leader of the residents' group, dismissed the deodorant plan as cosmetic. The council has spent about $160,000 on the deodorant - a huge sum in a city where many survive on less than $1 a day.

Experts say that India's commercial capital is ill-equipped to deal with the 7500 tonnes of rubbish that its 18 million people produce every day. (- 'The Times')
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.
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