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7 Nov 2008
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Roads to Recovery depreciation - ALGA's advocacy pays off

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The ineligibility for funding of the depreciation costs of council equipment used in the construction of Roads to Recovery-funded projects has been a concern for councils, especially councils in Western Australia, for a number of years.

ALGA has made a number of submissions on this issue both to the previous federal government and to the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Anthony Albanese, arguing the case for changes to the administrative arrangements under the Roads to Recovery Program.

"I am pleased that Minister Albanese has agreed to the suggestion put forward by ALGA that will overcome the concerns of local government," ALGA President Cr Paul Bell said. "Although this is a relatively arcane accounting issue, it was of concern to many councils and was proving to be a road-hump on the otherwise highly successful Roads to Recovery Program and I welcome the Minister's pragmatic decision."

As part of the changed administrative arrangements for the Roads to Recovery Program to come into force from 1 July 2009, Cr Bell has, on behalf of local government, given an undertaking to the Minister that it is not the intention of councils to divert Roads to Recovery funding from physical works to the funding of the depreciation of equipment generally.

"I expect all councils to fully abide by that undertaking," Cr Bell said.

He said the resolution of this issue demonstrated the ability of local government and the Federal Government to work together cooperatively to resolve issues and successfully deliver programs for the benefit of communities.

"Local government looks forward to working collaboratively with the Australian Government to deliver on other Federal initiatives which will be raised at the Australian Council of Local Government on November 18," Cr Bell said.

Social impacts of drought hit main-street

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The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Tony Burke, has released a report by the Expert Panel on the Social Impacts on Drought. The Chair Peter Kenny and the Panel heard from more than 1000 people at its 25 public forums, held nine major centre meetings with key stakeholders and received more than 230 written submissions. Minister Burke said at the Parliament House launch that the Government was working to build 'a stronger drought policy for the future.' Recommendation four of the report is that 'The drought support roles of federal, state and local governments should be clarified and a lead agency or coordinating committee be established across government and within each jurisdiction to ensure proper implementation of dryness-related policy.' The report also recommends providing incentives to support the development of individual and family 'wellbeing plans' as part of a shift towards better preparedness for dryness.The report urges governments and non-government organisations to move away from crisis-framed responses to dryness and the adoption of a more long-term sustainable approach to the delivery of existing human support services in rural communities. It mentions the differing attitudes to Exceptional Circumstances (EC) policy arrangements. While those who receive assistance say it is keeping them on the farm, EC policy has created feelings of division and resentment with stress caused by the complex criteria and paperwork and different approaches across jurisdictions.

The Productivity Commission has also released a draft report outlining an economic assessment of drought support measures in Australia. The draft report at www.pc.gov.au will be available for further public submissions until Friday 19 December 2008 before a final report is provided to the Government in February 2009. The final Productivity Commission report will be the last of three commissioned by the Government in April this year as part of a national review of drought support. Submissions on the draft Productivity Commission report can be emailed to droughtreview@pc.gov.au

The 4th Indigenous Road Safety Forum

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Almost 80 people including ALGA attended the 4th Indigenous Road Safety Forum held in Cairns from the 29-31 October to examine road safety issues that are specific to Indigenous communities across the country.

The Forum was addressed by the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Anthony Albanese. Minister Albanese highlighted some statistics showing that:

  • road deaths are the second highest killer of young Indigenous people;
  • rates of death from road crashes for the Indigenous community are nearly three times that of the non-Indigenous rate;
  • rates of death for Indigenous pedestrians are nearly ten times that of the non-Indigenous community and account for a substantial proportion of deaths (34 per cent) and serious injuries (18 per cent); and
  • the rate of serious injuries amongst the Indigenous population is about 1.7 times higher than non-Indigenous.

Other statistics presented during the Forum showed that deaths of Indigenous pedestrians peaked within a much younger age group (25 - 39 years) than non-Indigenous which peak in the older years (50+). The vast majority of Indigenous people killed in car crashes were found to have blood alcohol levels above the legal driving limit and almost 60 per cent could be classified as heavily intoxicated (with a blood alcohol concentration equal to or greater than 0.2 gm/100ml).

The Minister in his address said that these were 'unacceptable' results. He is looking to the Forum to develop proposals to address this state of affairs as part of the Government's "Closing the Gap" initiative for Indigenous Australians.

The Forum heard of an emerging issue - the difficulty young Indigenous people had obtaining driving licenses because of the need to obtain the necessary hours of driving experience with a qualified driver. This is despite a number of outreach programs to help Indigenous youngsters get their learner permits and is the unintended consequence of changes in driver licensing to increase the experience of young drivers. This was leading to unlicensed driving and also restricting the employment opportunities for Indigenous young people.

The Forum also heard positive road safety stories such as the road safety play "Muttacar Sorry Business" aimed at, and performed by, young Indigenous people highlighting the dangers of drink driving, overloading of cars, seat belt wearing and properly maintained vehicles. There was also example from the Pilbara of the mining company Rio Tinto working with the local Indigenous communities to improve road safety, including targeted television commercials featuring local people.

The Indigenous participants in the Forum were highly aware of the impact of alcohol and associated deaths and injuries from crashes on their communities and are seeking initiatives to help. This was also demonstrated during the visit to the Yarrabah Aboriginal Community where delegates were addressed by Percy Neal, the Mayor of Yarrabah; Uncle Bob Patterson, a Yarrabah elder; and other members of the Council some of whom also attended the Forum. The leaders of Yarrabah Community all stressed the importance of maintaining the Indigenous culture, the development of a stable family life and expressed concern about alcohol and substance abuse.

The Minister announced a grant of up to $30,000 is available to a project that makes a significant contribution to reducing road trauma for Indigenous people. The grant will be administered by the Road Safety Branch of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.
From the President

The first meeting of the new Australian Council of Local Government (ACLG) in Canberra on 18 November 2008 is a wonderful opportunity to raise our issues with the Federal Government and to ensure that the ACLG lives up to its promise and delivers a new deal for local government.

While I understand all councils have their own specific issues of local concern and this will always be the case, many of these are shared by other councils and require a coordinated policy response. I strongly feel that we need to ensure that this historic opportunity is not squandered by not being bold enough or brave enough to take a long-term strategic focus and lay on the table concerns of national significance. We need to work together to ensure that these issues are put on the agenda and pursue our priorities with clarity, vigour and an evidence-based approach.

The one-day meeting will aim to highlight best-practice work that councils are already undertaking and develop the priorities for local government for the next 12 months and beyond.

To assist with this process and to ensure you have information on local government's national position, ALGA has put together a set of background fact sheets which have been sent to all councils today and are available on-line at www.alga.asn.au/policy/ACLG/. The fact sheets address the issues which are likely to be on the formal agenda and explain the work that local government has been undertaking such as our work with State and Territory Associations and the ALGA, through our debate and discussion at the National General Assembly, and through our ongoing relationship and representations to the Federal Government. The headings are: Finance, Community Infrastructure, Constitutional Recognition, Climate Change and Water, National Broadband, Affordable Housing, Roads to Recovery, Cost-Shifting, Sustainable Urban Regions and a handy one-pager titled Facts and Figures.

One issue we have progressed significantly already through our work together is the issue of constitutional recognition of local government. This year, individual councils around Australia have conducted 'Council Conversations' providing initial feedback on priorities and outcomes to ALGA. The August Experts' Forum brought together around 80 representatives from local, state and federal government as well as constitutional lawyers and academics that provided expert commentary and review for the Constitutional Summit Business Papers. This process will culminate with Summit to be held in Melbourne on 9-11 December. It is anticipated that the Summit will agree on a proposal for the ALGA Board to progress through the ACLG process and to put to the Australian Government early next year.

This meeting is one of the most important meetings in recent history, the first meeting where the Prime Minister will directly engage with local government, and marks the Government?s steps towards building a stronger relationship with local government and local communities. I strongly encourage you to take part in this exciting new national process, by attending this meeting to officially open the Australian Council of Local Government. You can register to attend on the Australian Council of Local Government website at: www.aclg.gov.au

I also look forward to seeing you at the ALGA Constitutional Summit 9 - 11 December 2008, registration at: http://nga.alga.asn.au/

Cr Paul Bell AM
ALGA President

Rating our planning system

Australia is managing growth in urban centres reasonably well, and moves to streamline planning assessment processes and increase public participation in planning are having a positive impact, according to the latest results of a national survey of planning professionals.

The Planning Report Card 2008, released by the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA), found that planners were satisfied with attempts by all jurisdictions to develop plans for managing urban growth.

"Australia has performed particularly well against four of the 12 key criteria in our online survey, including growth management, governance structures, public participation and streamlined assessment. These results show that there are positive changes being made in the planning industry across the country," Neil Savery, National President of the PIA, said.

Growth management was awarded a 'C' by participants, who were asked to rate how the nation is performing in developing and approving regional growth management plans that integrate social, economic, environmental and transport issues.

Some states have performed well in this area, including the ACT and Queensland and the national result was strong and steady on last year's survey findings. Australian planners were also largely satisfied with both governance and streamlined assessment in the planning industry. This reflects the significant reform processes underway at all levels of government across Australia to reform and improve planning industry systems and outcomes. The Report Card indicates a national score of 'C minus' across all categories, but according to Mr Savery, we can expect this grade to improve in future years. More information at www.planning.org.au

Police and Emergency Management

ALGA President Cr Paul Bell attended the Ministerial Council for Police and Emergency Management - Emergency Management held in Sydney yesterday. Chaired by Attorney-General Robert McClelland, the Council unanimously agreed that the future direction for Australian emergency management should be based on creating a more disaster-resilient Australia through:

  • further development of a national catastrophic disaster plan;
  • improving volunteer attraction and retention;
  • implementing of climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies for the emergency management sector;
  • building a strategy for enhancing national partnerships with the private sector and NGOs;
  • development of strategies for community engagement, education and enhancing self reliance and recovery.

Climate change was recognised as the most significant strategic issue for emergency management. The Council resolved to develop a climate change action plan. The Council also endorsed the draft Australian Emergency Management Arrangements. These arrangements describe how Australia collectively approaches managing emergencies including catastrophic disaster events and will assist in creating more informed, safer and sustainable communities that are better able to withstand natural disasters. The Ministerial Council comprises all State and Territory Governments and NZ Emergency Management Ministers and ALGA.

State of the Regions report 2006-07
Business argues for immigration

The Federal Government has been lobbied by West Australian business leaders, particularly from the mining industry, to resist cutting Australia's immigration intake as a result of the global economic slowdown.

Immigration Minister Chris Evans says he will consult business leaders in other states and wait for the mid-year economic and fiscal outlook due in a few weeks, before deciding on whether Australia's record high migrant intake should be reduced next year.

Climate change and infrastructure

A report, released yesterday by Climate Change Minister Penny Wong has found that all forms of infrastructure in Australia including electricity, dams, roads and even footpaths will be severely affected by climate change.

Roads will need to be resealed more often due to the heat, airports in low-lying areas will be forced to close more often, and the roads and railways which carry minerals to port will be closed more frequently.

The report concluded that climate change posed "significant challenges" for Australia's infrastructure, and consequently people.

"The consequences of the impact of climate change ... may range from discomfort, inconvenience, economic loss caused by interruption of services, property damage, threats to heath, to injury and death," the report found.

It recommended urgent national action to ensure infrastructure was better prepared to survive climate change. Minister Wong has announced that the Federal government would provide $161,000 to the Australian Building Codes Board to help ensure building codes take potential future effects of climate change into account.

More information on the report here.

Corporate Australia failing women

The latest census of women in business has found the senior ranks of corporate Australia are among the most male-dominated in the world, with fewer women in top positions than two years ago.

The census by the federal Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency has found that ASX 200 companies lag behind the US, the UK, South Africa and Canada. There are 45% of companies in Australia with no women managers, whereas 85% of US companies have at least one woman executive manager. Women hold only 8.3% of board positions, down from 8.7% in 2006, and women executive managers are down from 12% in 2006 to 10.7%. Women CEOs have fallen to 2%. The census is online at www.eowa.gov.au/

Short-term infrastructure projects 'safe'

Plans to bring forward funding of infrastructure projects in education, health and transport are unlikely to be affected by the $40 billion hole blown in the federal surplus, Infrastructure Partnership Australia says.

Despite the gloomy mid-year economic review of the May budget forecasts - released this week by federal Treasurer Wayne Swan - the government is expected to produce a timetable of fast-tracked projects, as planned, by Christmas.

An Access Economics director, David Rumbens, said that in light of the revised growth and income forecasts the government could well "crimp" infrastructure spending.

"There's still a lot of need for additional infrastructure, I think it's unlikely to be cut in the short-term," Mr Rumbens said.

"There's a series of roadworks out there which could deliver significant benefits and some of our major interstate routes as well as within cities."

Other priority areas are water security, including dams and pipelines, and investment in communications such as the National Broadband Network.

A spokesman for Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese said the plan to announce a timetable of fast-tracked projects for 2009 by Christmas was still on track.

Infrastructure Australia is due to complete its audit of proposed projects soon and future spending on infrastructure is more than likely to be discussed at the rescheduled COAG meeting to be held late this month or early December.

Leadership grants

AusAID would like to inform ALGA and its members of the opportunities offered by grants under the Australian Leadership Awards (ALA) Fellowships.

Under AusAID's ALA Fellowships program, Australian organisations can apply for funding of up to $35,000 per Fellow to support a range of activities that will develop expertise and leadership capacity in our region.

ALA Fellowships assist Australian organisations to host short term professional placements and study in Australia for senior officials and mid-career professionals that have the potential to influence policy and development outcomes in their countries.

ALA Fellowships are offered on a competitive basis to Australian organisations who would like to develop leadership and build linkages with counterpart organisations in the Asia-Pacific region.

Applications for Round 5 funding open in December and close in early February 2009. There will be another funding round mid-year 2009.

If you are interested in these opportunities, please visit our website

Moreland joins Australian Made campaign

Moreland City Council has joined the Australian Made, Australian Grown Campaign (AMAG) as a Campaign Supporter to show its support for the local industry.

AMAG is the not-for-profit organisation that administers the green and gold kangaroo logo and promotes the benefits of buying Australian. The logo can be found on more than 10,000 products and has grown over the past 22 years to become the most trusted and recognised symbol for produce and products that are truly Australian. During the past two years, a number of councils have joined AMAG as Campaign Supporters.

To learn more about the Australian Made, Australian Grown Campaign, please visit www.australianmade.com.au or call 1800 350 520.

Wrinkles of tobacco

Anti-smoking activists may have found a new target: vanity. A pilot study was conducted in which people were shown computer-generated images of how their faces would look in the future if they continued to somke. In a personalised video demonstration, each person could watch the effect of smoking-related photo-ageing on their face. Initital results of the pilot, released at the Royal Australian College of GPs annual conference recently showed it has a big impact, particularly on women. Within three months, almost 50% had quit.

Quote of the week

"A new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear the world down, we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security, we support you."
newly-elected US President Barack Obama

International news  

Commonly regarded as something of a joke - a mishmash of airline PR, TV listings, and cigarette and perfume prices - the in-flight magazine has been much maligned, regarded as akin to the safety demonstration: something to be endured rather than enjoyed.

But, despite a move upmarket - BA's High Life magazine was guest-edited by Michael Palin last year, and writers such as Will Self and Julie Burchill have contributed pieces - the in-flight mag industry could be in danger. Step aboard an Emirates Airbus 380, for instance, and you'll soon find a lack of the customary reading material.

According to Emirates' president Tim Clark, the decision to ban all onboard paper will lighten the aircraft by a tonne. "It's 2kg per seat and 500 seats, a worthwhile saving," he says. "We are doing it because of fuel prices and the environment. The printed matter will be replaced by content shown on the aircraft's seat-back TVs."

The in-flight magazine was first introduced nearly 75 years ago to distract fearful flyers. Initially the titles were filled with short stories, exotic travel articles and tips for housewives - a sort of airborne Reader's Digest - before commercial reality set in, and airlines began turning their magazines into promotional vehicles; hence their less than flattering reputation.

Would you pick up an in-flight mag? The chances are you will, if only to find out what entertainment is available, look at resort information, and discover you've just missed Billy Joel in Belgrade, or that, if you'd chosen Lisbon rather than Aarhus, you might have gone to a medieval festival.

It's this loopiness that's the real joy of in-flight mags, and it's often to be found in the adverts. July's Business Life includes Omar Sharif pitching for a Dubai development, so excited that he breaks into capitals as he yells there's "NO PERSONAL INCOME TAX!"; but even better is the same title's ad asking "Would you travel to Houston just to see these dentists?". Probably not, as Dr Rick and Dr John look a little creepy; but it's a nice touch to have the grinning duo standing over a piano whose keys show what your teeth will look like after your 48-hour "smile makeover holiday" in Texas. (AP)
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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