NBN inquiry submissions closing soon

The House of Representatives Infrastructure and Communications Committee is conducting an inquiry into the role and potential of the National Broadband Network (NBN). The Committee is now receiving input from the public, with submissions due on 25 February 2011.

The Committee is keen to hear from a wide range of Australians-individuals, private organisations, and governments.

The inquiry was referred by the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Anthony Albanese, who has asked the Committee to report by August 2011. The Committee's terms of reference include examining the capacity of the National Broadband Network to contribute to the delivery of government services and programs, impacting regional economic growth and employment opportunities, and facilitating community and social benefits.

Submissions should address any one or more of the points listed in the terms of reference. Further details about the inquiry, including copies of submissions received to date, can be obtained from the Committee's website.

SA President-elect says constitutional reform critical

Whyalla Mayor Jim Pollock will be the next President of SA's Local Government Association after being elected unopposed to take over from Marion Mayor Felicity-ann Lewis on 29 April.

President elect Mayor Pollock said he was honoured to be elected to what was an increasingly important role in the state.

Mayor Pollock said his role would be to represent the interests of all councils. "I have a passion for regional issues but I have lived in Adelaide and will be keen to advance the interests of communities wherever they are in the State," he said.

He said that achieving reform to the Australian Constitution to remove any doubts about the capacity of the Federal Government to fund councils directly would be a key challenge which had been aptly illustrated by the recent storm and flooding issues impacting across Australia.

Other issues included getting better state support to councils for waste and recycling, ensuring the state understood the impact of its proposed 2013 cuts to library funding, continuing to support excellence in governance within councils including ongoing improvements to asset and financial management and ensuring SA got its fair share of federal funding.

O'Farrell pledges to lead COAG reform push if elected in NSW

NSW Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell says he will restore the integrity of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) and its capacity to achieve reform if the Coalition is elected on March 26.

Speaking at the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday, Mr O'Farrell outlined his vision for COAG - its members including Coalition governments in Western Australia and Victoria and Labor governments in NSW, Queensland, SA and Tasmania.

Mr O'Farrell said that NSW would be the champion of federated governance and be an advocate for a reinvigorated COAG that is no longer the 'parking lot' for tough decisions. He would promote competition and collaboration rather than 'coercive federalism.' His vision as for States and Territories to play a role in COAG's direction and call meetings. His vision was for Ministerial Councils to be encouraged to make more decisions and 'not pass the buck to COAG.'

Mr O'Farrell nominated the infrastructure crisis in urban New South Wales and the ageing population as major challenges facing an incoming government in NSW. He said that Infrastructure Australia had favoured other states and given NSW only 1% of its first round of funding. This was mainly due to the current NSW Government and its under-prepared submissions. In power, he would set up an Infrastructure NSW body to ensure that the most populous state got its fair share of funding from the Federal Government. Asked if he would walk away from a COAG health agreement signed last year, Mr O'Farrell said a NSW coalition government wouldn't be "locked into" any deals.

This week I have written to all councils with an invitation to become directly engaged in the campaign for constitutional recognition to demonstrate to Federal and state governments, oppositions and political parties the widespread support that is within local government for this reform.

Following the 2010 Federal Election, Prime Minister Gillard committed to holding a dual referendum on the constitutional recognition of local government and the recognition of Indigenous Australians. The referendum will most likely be held in conjunction with the 2013 Federal Election. The challenge for local government is now threefold: to ensure the referendum is held; to ensure that the type of recognition sought meets our requirements; and to do what we can to bring about a positive result in the referendum itself.

ALGA has devoted considerable resources over the past three years to developing the case for constitutional reform and the need for reform. That need was highlighted in stark terms in 2009 by the decision of the High Court in Pape v Federal Commissioner of Taxation. In that case the High Court set out the limitations of the Australian Government's powers and, in doing so, clearly indicated that the Australian Government does not have the power to fund local government directly.

It is obviously in the best interests of local communities that Federal Governments, whatever their political persuasion, have the capacity to fund councils directly to achieve national objectives and it is for this reason that ALGA's preference is for a simple change to the Constitution (most likely to Section 96) which would allow the current practice of such direct funding to continue.

I have invited all councils to pass a resolution in the first few months of 2011 endorsing the position that a referendum be held by 2013 to change the Constitution to allow direct funding of local government bodies by the Commonwealth Government and also to include local government in any new Preamble to the Constitution if one is proposed. It is ALGA's intention that a Constitutional Declaration for Councils will be submitted for signature by council representatives at the conclusion of the 2011 National General Assembly of Local Government on 22 June 2011.

I will be in touch with councils again in the coming months with further details which is critical in our campaign to win broad public support for constitutional recognition. While the challenge of reform is substantial, I have no doubt that by working together local government can overcome the obstacles to change and bring about a much more sustainable and secure future for councils and local communities throughout Australia. If you have any inquiries, please contact your State and Territory Local Government Associations or Monica Telesny at monica.telesny@alga.asn.au.

Cr Genia McCaffery
ALGA President

Briefs

Emergency assistance for WA

The Commonwealth Government will provide assistance for communities in Western Australia hit by severe bushfires. The Attorney General, Robert McClelland, said the activation of assistance follows the declaration by the Western Australian Government of five Local Government Areas as natural disaster zones - the City of Armadale, City of Canning, Shire of Chittering, Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale and the City of Swan. The declaration gives communities who have been impacted by the floods access to joint Commonwealth/State Government assistance under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA). For information regarding personal support contact the WA Department of Child Protection on 1800 199 008. For information on assistance for small businesses, contact the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia on (08) 9323 9552. For information on support for primary producers, contact the WA Department of Agriculture and Food on 1800 198 231.

High Speed Train Reference Group

The Reference Group for the High Speed Rail Study met on Wednesday. The Government committed to the study, which will look at the case for high speed rail on the east coast (Brisbane-Newcastle-Sydney-Canberra-Melbourne) and route options, as part of its deal with the Greens. ALGA has been invited to participate in the Reference Group and the study will be undertaken with consultants AECOM over the next 18 months. The scope of a full east coast high speed rail solution could have implications for up to perhaps 150 of Australia's councils with the main interests relating to the environmental, planning and infrastructure impacts as well as regional development opportunities.

Closing the Gap

The Prime Minister has tabled the Closing the Gap Prime Minister's report 2011 in Parliament this week. Closing the gap is a national goal, which requires the Australian Government to work in partnership with the state and territory governments, businesses, not for profit organisations, Indigenous people and the wider community. The Government is working with Indigenous people to support personal responsibility as the foundation for healthy, functional families and communities. Closing the gap requires a genuine partnership with Indigenous Australians at all levels. A copy of the report is available here.

Telstra NBN agreement

The Federal Government has welcomed an agreement between Telstra and the NBN Co finalising key commercial terms for the rollout of the national broadband network.

"Today's announcement represents a big step towards bringing affordable high-speed broadband to every home, school, hospital and business in Australia no matter where they are located," Communications Minister Stephen Conroy Senator Conroy said in Canberra today.

The commercial terms pave the way for a final agreement to allow NBN Co to use Telstra's assets to roll-out the network and for the telco to decommission its copper network.

The Government and Telstra have also reached in-principle agreement for a package of measures announced by the Government in June.

The measures include a public information campaign about the migration of services from the copper-based network to the NBN. (AAP)

New Climate Commission

The Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Greg Combet, yesterday announced the establishment of an independent Climate Commission, appointing the leading science communicator, Professor Tim Flannery, as Chief Commissioner.

Mr Combet said the Climate Commission would provide expert advice and information on climate change to the Australian community. The Climate Commission would have a public outreach role, he said, to help build greater understanding and consensus about reducing Australia's carbon pollution. For more information about the Climate Commission click here.

Tourism projects funding

Applications open today for a fresh round of Australian Government funding for tourism projects that will nurture quality tourism experiences and support Australia's marketing campaigns.

Applications for funding under the TQUAL Grants - Tourism Quality Projects are for Australian Government support of up to $100,000 for smaller-scale projects to stimulate private sector investment in the community.

The TQUAL Grants funding is separate and in addition to the $10 million joint Australian and Queensland Government tourism support package to assist Queensland tourism operators following the floods. The grants are open for applications from organisations across Australia. The grants are competitive and are independently assessed on merit. For further information click here. Tourism Quality Project applications and program guides are available here or by calling 13 28 46.

Reconstruction Inspectorate for Qld

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has announced strict new oversight and accountability measures to ensure value for money is delivered in the massive task of rebuilding floodravaged regions.

The Government will implement the following:

• A new Reconstruction Inspectorate to increase scrutiny and accountability of rebuilding projects;
• Require the states to provide independently audited financial statements to support any claim for infrastructure rebuilding, including verification of spending against any advance payments made; and
• Nominate two federal appointees to the board of the Queensland Reconstruction Authority. These will be Mr Brad Orgill former Chairman and CEO of UBS Australia and head of the BER Implementation Taskforce, and Mrs Glenys Beauchamp, Secretary to the Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government.

Regional Traveller's Cheque winner

The Planning Institute of Australia in conjunction with Edge Land Planning would like to congratulate Andrew Houlihan from Alexandra Council in SA as winner of the Regional Young Planner Traveller's Cheque. As winner of the scholarship Andrew will attend YPConnect11 and the 2011 National Congress in Hobart.

Volunteers needed for international development placements

Are you looking for something new and worthwhile to do with the new year? Would you like an opportunity to contribute to shaping a developing country recovering from the devastating effects of natural disasters and civil unrest? Then this may just be what you're after!

The Planning Institute of Australia is now calling for volunteers to work in Sri Lanka to develop regional plans for Sri Lanka's northern and eastern provinces that have been affected by the country's civil conflict for 30 years and identify much needed infrastructure to accommodate the island's growing population and burgeoning tourist industry. Volunteers will also be involved with building the local planning capacity through individual mentoring and larger group training when applicable.

There are also many ways to contribute as an organisation whilst remaining in Australia such as donating equipment and sponsoring specific projects or delivering training.

If you are available for a 3 or 6 month placement in June, September or December in 2011, have experience in project development, strategic planning, community consultation, geographical information systems, excellent writing and interpersonal skills or are interested in learning how your organisation can contribute in other ways please contact Micaela Drieberg on 03 9347 1900 or mdrieberg@planning.org.au.

More information about the Institute's international development work can be found here.

Harmony Day - 21 March

Councils continue to play a big part in celebrating the inclusive nature of Australia and promoting the benefits of cultural diversity. Be part of Harmony Day 2011. Register your event and order free promotional products here.

NSW election priorities 2011

The Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW (LGSA) have launched their NSW Election Priorities outlining the major issues of significance and the LGSA's proposed solutions under six key themes:

1. Improved Local Government financial viability
2. Restore the balance to land use planning
3. Stronger support for communities
4. Greater natural environment protection
5. Enhanced infrastructure provision and maintenance
6. Better local governance

President of the Local Government Association, Cr Keith Rhoades AFSM, says that communities deserve better and urged voters to "support candidates who support your council."

"Local government offers the vital services and facilities that are the building blocks of our communities - from roads to libraries to waste, and youth and senior services," said Cr Rhoades.

"Cost-shifting, rate pegging, lack of infrastructure funding and the erosion of planning powers are some of the recent problems created by the State Government that is crippling councils. Ultimately, it's the people of NSW who suffer from these actions," he said. For a copy of the LGSA's NSW Election Priorities 2011, click here.

Mate of Mine in March

Mate of Mine in March is a national movement to drive Australians to "buy local" for the month of March. Mate of Mine will be presented in partnership with local governments, businesses and trade organisations across Australia. There are a number of ways for local councils to get involved. First and foremost, it's about helping raise awareness about the importance of small businesses in communities. Councils Australia wide are being asked to help raise awareness using their well established networks. More information here.