 | |  ALGA President Felicity-ann Lewis this week reinforced the sector's commitment to a referendum to recognise local government in the Constitution when she appeared before the second public hearing of the Joint Select Committee established to investigate the likelihood of Australians voting 'yes' in a 2013 referendum. The first hearing was held on 16 January and, despite a 15 February deadline for submissions, the Committee released a preliminary report on 24 January, which recommended that a financial recognition referendum be held at the same time as the 2013 federal election, slated for 14 September. Both the Committee's preliminary report and the recommendations of a previous Expert Panel report recognised several preconditions for referendum success: the need for strong bipartisan support; the Commonwealth negotiating with state and territory governments to achieve their support for financial recognition; a public information campaign to achieve informed and positive community engagement; and changes to the referendum process to allow public funding of referendum campaigns. "We are now less than seven months out from a referendum if one is to be held at the time of a federal election and we have previously highlighted the limited time available for making the necessary changes to the Commonwealth legislation which governs referendum processes," Mayor Lewis said. "Local government is focused on engaging state governments and encouraging them to support the proposed change. I have written to Premiers and Chief Ministers urging them to engage with Minister Crean and their state local government association presidents. I have personally spoken to a number of local government ministers and Premiers asking them to support the proposal."
ALGA is seeking an amendment to Section 96 of the Constitution so that it would read: "Parliament may grant financial assistance to any state or local government body formed by or under a law of a state or territory on such terms and conditions as the Parliament sees fit." For more on this week's public hearing of the Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition of Local Government, read ahead to the President's Column. | | | | |  ALGA President Felicity-ann Lewis has met with Local Government Minister Simon Crean to clarify the Government's plans for taking forward the proposal for a referendum on constitutional recognition of local government at the time of the September 2013 federal election. The preliminary report released by the Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition of Local Government on 24 January included a number of recommendations requiring immediate action by the Federal Government in order for a referendum to be held at the time of the election. However, Minister Crean announced that he would not be responding to the inquiry's recommendations until a final report is handed down in March. Minister Crean was categorical in his assurance that he would deliver on the preconditions for a successful referendum identified by the Committee in its preliminary report and gave strong assurances that the referendum could go ahead at the time of the 2013 federal election. Minister Crean said that he had engaged all premiers, asking them to indicate their position on the referendum, and reiterated that he would not be responding to the recommendations of the Committee until it released its final report in March. "I conveyed to the Minister that I had written to both the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, as suggested by the Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Select Committee, asking them to consider a joint statement on the need for the referendum because a formal commitment is essential," Mayor Lewis said. "I have written to every Premier and Local Government Minister about the issue and encouraged presidents of state and territory local government associations to speak to their state ministers and premiers. I have also spoken to the South Australian Premier and the South Australian Minister. "I do not think there is anything more we can do as local governments." | | | | |  Well-respected columnist for The Sydney Morning Herald and Sun-Herald, television presenter on Fox Sports and former Rugby player, Peter FitzSimons, will address the National General Assembly on Wednesday 19 June this year. Peter speaks four languages, co-hosted radio shows with Mike Carlton and Doug Mulray, interviewed famous people around the globe from George Bush to Diego Maradona and written eighteen best-selling books. He is the biographer not only of World Cup winning Wallaby captains, Nick Farr-Jones and John Eales, but also former Opposition Leader Kim Beazley, war heroine Nancy Wake and magazine Queen, Nene King. In 2001 he was Australia's biggest selling non-fiction author, and duplicated that feat in 2004, with his book on Kokoda, and has recently released the book Eureka Stockade - The Unfinished Revolution. In 1989 he joined The Sydney Morning Herald full-time, and has been one of their most popular columnists since. Andrew Denton has called him "Australia's finest sports journalist". This year's NGA is themed Foundations for the Future - Twenty 13 and will be held at the National Convention Centre Canberra from 16 - 19 June. You can now register your attendance online at www.alga.asn.au and access the early bird discount to save $100. | | |
| |  ALGA was one of a number of bodies to attend the second public hearing of the Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition of Local Government this week to voice our support for a referendum at the time of the September 2013 federal election and outline the requirements for the best possible chance of success. Ten councils provided evidence to the inquiry, including Cootamundra; Port Macquarie-Hastings; Wagga Wagga; Moreton Bay; Mount Isa; Longreach; Mid-Murray; Kingborough; and Naracoote Lucindale. In representing ALGA, I raised the fact that ALGA is concerned about the diminishing timeframe within which the Government now has to address the identified preconditions for success. I also conveyed that I had discussed these concerns with Local Government Minister Simon Crean, who was very strong in stating his commitment to the referendum and categorical in his assurance that there would be enough time to deliver on the preconditions. With regard to the timing of the preconditions for a referendum, ALGA's own research on the timelines which were involved in the 1999 Republic referendum sheds light on the time needed for various administrative and legislative processes. Of course the referendum for the republic had a different and longer public engagement process, beginning with the Constitutional Convention held in early 1998, which meant that both the Government and Opposition of the day had committed to the actual referendum proposal and the timing of the referendum in February 1998-21 months in advance of the actual referendum held in November 1999. The timeline also indicates that in administrative terms, an internal taskforce in the Department of Prime Minster and Cabinet was formed 11 months before the referendum. Nine months out from the referendum, Cabinet had agreed to provide $7.5 million for the 'yes' and 'no' campaigns and money for the public information campaign and the 'yes' and 'no' advertising committees had been appointed by the Government, as had the public information committee. Eight months out from the referendum, the constitution amendment bill had been released for public comment and the bill to change the referendum machinery legislation had been introduced into parliament. That bill received royal assent seven months out from the referendum. At that point, the public service was able to finalise the tender processes to select the polling companies and advertising companies for both the 'yes' and 'no' campaigns. We are currently seven months out from a referendum if one is held at the time of the federal election on 14 September. This has been a concern for us and the Minister’s response to the Committee's preliminary report stated that the Government would not respond to the recommendations until after it has received the final report - due in March. At that point there will be about six months to election day and no more than seven sitting weeks of the Federal Parliament. That is why we view the Minister’s assurances last week as very important. We have committed to provide millions of dollars to campaign for the referendum and now await the Committee's final report, its assessment of the likelihood of success and, of course, the Government’s response. Mayor Felicity-ann Lewis
ALGA President | | |
| | Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on the Centenary of Anzac Warren Snowdon this week announced grants to encourage communities across Australia to become involved in the Centenary. The Anzac Centenary Local Grants Program, providing $100,000 per electorate, will enable and empower communities across Australia to commemorate the Centenary of Anzac in their own way. Communities are encouraged to start identifying local initiatives that recognise Australian service during the First World War. The Centenary of Anzac 2014-2018 stands to be one of the most important commemorative periods in Australia's history. Around 330,000 Australians served overseas during the First World War including more than 50,000 at Gallipoli. There are a large number of Australian families with links to our first Anzacs and diggers and the impact of the war was felt by every community across the country. A committee will be created in each electorate to work alongside local Federal MPs on grant proposals. The grants will provide communities throughout the country with an opportunity to pay tribute to those involved in the First World War and to reflect on the lives of those who served and sacrificed in Australia's name. Projects which could be considered for grant funding include: - Public commemorative events
- New First World War memorials or honour board
- The restoration of existing First World War memorials or honour boards
- The preservation, interpretation and display of First World War wartime and
- military memorabilia and artefacts
- School projects related to the First World War
Grant funding will be available in 2013-14. Information on the grants including the Program’s guidelines will be available on the Anzac Centenary website shortly: www.anzaccentenary.gov.au | | | | | Regional Australia and Local Government Minister Simon Crean this week announced $1.28 million in funding for local governments to deliver groundbreaking and innovative projects that will drive sustainable growth in communities. Speaking at the Regional Capitals Australia forum in Geelong, Mr Crean said the funding will go to the Building the Case for Local Government initiative to build the capacity of local government leaders to prepare detailed business cases to support innovative infrastructure proposals. "Developing infrastructure projects that stack-up, unlock investment leverage and attract private sector support are not easy to assess," Mr Crean said. "Through grants, this $1.28 million will build on the skills of our local government leaders and encourage the sharing of expertise when it comes to developing innovative projects that stack-up." Mr Crean also challenged local government to consider new ways of funding infrastructure, including through the concept of 'mutual societies'. "The infrastructure needs of our regional capitals are not going to be funded by one government - or by governments alone," he said. "All levels of government must work in partnership, and we have to find innovative ways to finance new infrastructure, including tapping the resources of the private sector, and in particular, superannuation funds." Regional Capitals Australia is an alliance of 22 local governments from across Australia seeking to cooperate and build linkages to support the development of regional centres across the nation. | | | | | Cancer patients in Queensland's vast northern region used to travel up to 1,000 kilometres and be away for days to see their oncologist in Townsville. Today, they visit their local GP hospital or clinic and their oncologist is 'beamed' out to them. The success of turning 18 communities spread over 750,000 square kilometres into a single oncology practice was achieved in just two years. Driving it was the team at the Townsville Cancer Centre (TCC) lead by the director of medical oncology, Associate Professor Sabe Sabesan. "We started with a telehealth service to patients at the Mt Isa hospital in 2007," Dr Sabesan explains. "Before that, patients had to fly to Townsville, which meant they could be away for days just for a 10-minute appointment. It's expensive and disruptive." "The two-year trial gave us the data to put together a business model showing that a telehealth network was not only sustainable, but desirable, for patients and the health service." In 2009 the network was extended to 18 telehealth-equipped centres, from Camooweal near the Northern Territory border, north to Mornington Island and south to Longreach. Some had existing video conferencing facilities. Dr Sabesan said he appreciated that some doctors were concerned that telehealth would distance them from their patients. "In our experience, the opposite is the case," he said. "From memory, only one patient has opted to be flown to Townsville rather than have a telehealth consult. And the beauty of it is that the patient's GP can be in the first consultation, then subsequently if they or the patient feel it necessary. There’s continuity of care." The professional benefits of telehealth flow into local health services. "Our oncology nurses in Townsville, for example, guide local nurses in administering selected chemotherapy treatments in Ingham. You can have registrars, students and nurses observing during consultations, broadening their knowledge." Dr Sabesan is listed on the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine’s national telehealth provider directory of GPs and specialists set up for telehealth. | | | | | Low Carbon Australia is supporting a major energy efficient street lighting project that will produce significant energy and cost savings for six Victorian councils. Low Carbon Australia will provide finance for just over 50 per cent of the Warrnambool City Council’s $872,500 commitment to the larger $3 million Great South Coast Street Smart Lighting project. Warrnambool's Mayor Michael Neoh said about 2200 lights would be installed in residential streets in Warrnambool over the next couple of years as part of broader plans by six local government authorities to replace more than 7,600 mercury street lights with more efficient lights. While Warrnambool's street lighting is owned and operated by Powercor, Council pays for maintenance and operation. "By working with Powercor on this upgrade we're expecting to realise annual savings of over $100,000 at current prices with the new globes expected to reduce energy usage by up to 68 per cent," he said. Warrnambool will fund the balance of the costs of the street lighting project through an Australian Government Community Energy Efficiency Program (CEEP) grant of up to $1.4 million for the group of regional councils which also included Shires of Colac Otway, Corangamite, Moyne, Southern Grampians and Glenelg. Low Carbon Australia’s CEO Meg McDonald said the cost savings from the Warrnambool street lighting project would be greater than the loan repayments, meaning that Warrnambool ratepayers would be better off from day one. "Street lighting is the single largest source of energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions from the local government sector and it typically accounts for 30 to 60 per cent of emissions," Ms McDonald said. | | | | | Whether they are based on the Pilbara’s offshore mega-projects or within the remote coalfields of Central Queensland, women working across Australia’s vast resource sector can now benefit from the industry’s first dedicated virtual mentoring program. Launched this week by The Australian Women in Resources Alliance (AWRA), the AWRA e-mentoring program is connecting experienced mining, oil and gas professionals with women in the earlier stages of their careers. This innovative online portal is delivered by resource industry employer group AMMA with support from the Australian Government under the National Resource Sector Workforce Strategy. AMMA director of group services Tara Diamond, says the first round of e-mentoring partnerships has commenced, with both men and women mentors providing guidance to women seeking to further their resources careers. "The AWRA e-Mentoring Program is a key part of AWRA's wider strategy to increase the participation of women in resource jobs from the current 15.2% to 25% by 2020," Ms Diamond says. "The remote locations and non-traditional work schedules typical of Australia’s diverse resource industry often make it difficult for career-driven women to connect with experienced industry mentors. "The AWRA e-Mentoring Program now delivers this mentoring opportunity through a structured, supportive online portal designed to assist women to succeed in the resource industry. "The first round of mentees and their rigorously matched mentors will be inducted into the program today and guided through a nine-month mentoring process." The e-Mentoring program is backed by the AWRA leadership committee comprising industry bodies, academics and resource employers including OZ Minerals, Newcrest Mining and Caltex Australia. | | | | | The Australian Government is providing more support for children with a disability to access child care to ensure they receive crucial education and development opportunities in the early years. "We know the first five years of a child's life are crucial to their development, and we want to support families of children with a disability to have access to the important education and development opportunities that child care brings," Minister Ellis said. "We are investing a record $23 billion to early childhood care and education to give children the best possible start to life." Minister Ellis said there has been a 38 per cent increase in the number of children the Australian Government is supporting to access child care through the Inclusion Support Subsidy this year. "For children with a disability, intervention in the early years and access to quality child care can make huge difference, and I’m really proud to deliver this funding which I know will make a difference to the lives of these families," Minister Ellis said. "We introduced the National Quality Framework because we believe every parent deserves peace of mind when they drop their child off to child care, they are receiving quality care to a high standard. "We are backing the NQF with a record $23.1 billion investment in early childhood education and care - more than triple that of the former Coalition Government in its last four years in office." The NQF requires all providers to improve services and provide families with better information. It includes: - Improved educator to child ratios, so that each child gets the individual care and attention that they need
- Higher educator qualifications to equip staff to provide the kind of activities that help children learn and develop
- More information for parents through a transparent ratings system
| | | | | A new heritage theme for 2013 has been unveiled to celebrate multicultural Australia by looking at the stories and contribution of migrants. Minister for Environment, Tony Burke joined the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Senator Kate Lundy, to call on the community to bring forward nominations for national heritage places to go with the new theme. Mr Burke said for every Australian the story of their family heritage was either the story of the first Australians or a story of the journey here. "The national heritage list has many examples of indigenous heritage and many examples of our colonial history," Mr Burke said. "But I have never understood why we have been so slow to recognise the heritage of those families who have come to Australia in the many waves of immigration we have had subsequent to our colonial history. No matter what religion people are, no matter what part of the world they came from, whether they came here for job or whether they came fleeing persecution, their stories are part of Australia's story." Mr Burke said the whole concept of the heritage list was to tell the story of Australia. "Only when the multicultural stories are added will the list truly tell the story of our nation," he said. Senator Lundy said Australia was a successful multicultural nation with more than seven million migrants successfully settling since the Second World War. Australia's multicultural story is an important part of our national history," Senator Lundy said. I encourage Australians to nominate places that capture the contributions of migrants so their legacy can continue for future generations." More information is available from this PS News link and nominations close 15 March. | | | | | The people of the Alice are changing - and their public services are changing too. Now, in a first for Alice Springs, the Department of Human Services is showcasing the support at hand for people of different backgrounds. The Multicultural Forum is being held tomorrow at the Sadadeen Primary School hall between 5.30pm and 8pm; and is open to all. Minister for Human Services Senator Kim Carr said the Department was breaking down the barriers that new arrivals often face. "We need to ensure that our new arrivals can access the support they need to thrive," Senator Carr said. "In Alice Springs alone, the Department serves some 500 people from multicultural backgrounds, in a language they understand and in a place they can access. And it is working across the community to bring all the service providers together." Member for Lingiari, Warren Snowdon, said the Alice Springs community has a long history of being welcoming to new arrivals - and is proud of its multi-cultural and diverse population. "This forum will provide our multi-cultural community with an opportunity to get first hand expert information on a wide range of Government programs and services," Mr Snowdon said. Sadadeen Primary School is located at 80 Spearwood Road Alice Springs. | | | | | The Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia (FECCA) is the national peak body representing Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. Each year, FECCA conducts Access and Equity consultations across Australia to learn about the experiences of CALD people in accessing Government services in a range of areas including employment, education, health, aged care services and more. As part of this process, an online survey is developed to gather additional feedback from CALD Australians, which will subsequently be provided to Government on how effective the services it provides are, and where opportunities for improvement exist. The survey is specifically designed to obtain the insights and opinions of people from CALD backgrounds and takes approximately 5-10 minutes to complete. Respondents can choose to simply select check-boxes or supply extended responses on their experiences. The information received through this survey will be used by FECCA to compile a comprehensive report to Government that will shape the future delivery of services for people of CALD backgrounds. Please click here to complete the 2012-13 FECCA Access and Equity Survey. | | | | | With the theme of economic productivity and the city, the inaugural National Urban Policy Conference 2013 is a must attend event for anyone involved in the areas of infrastructure, transport, resources, logistics, planning and housing. To be held at the Hilton Hotel, Sydney from May 16 - 17, this significant conference is the first in a series of biennial events being convened by AHURI in partnership with the Australian Government and presents an opportunity for informed, evidence-based discussions and debate on key urban issues. The National Urban Policy Conference will: - Create an event through which a national evidence-based discussion on urban policy can be developed and sustained.
- Build an integrated community of interest in national urban policy.
- Create a forum for cross profession, cross government, cross industry discussion.
- Establish an environment for thought leadership and innovation in urban policy at a national level.
- Deliver a program structure that is purposefully evidence-based and integrative across infrastructure, transport, energy, land use planning, housing and integrative across the range of sectors and decision makers.
To register, access the conference program or to get more information visit: www.nupc.com.au | | |
| | | Managing Legal Risks for Coastal Councils The challenge of managing legal risks on the coast will be the topic of a keynote address by leading environmental and planning lawyer Andrew Beatty at the Australian Coastal Councils Conference in South Australia next month. Andrew's presentation will address the question of what coastal councils can do to identify, manage and mitigate their legal risks in the current environment of shifting and uncertain coastal policy. "Coastal councils face real challenges relating to the actual and projected impacts of climate change," Andrew said. "These challenges are physical, financial and political." Registration is now open for the Australian Coastal Councils Conference, to be held in South Australia from 25 to 27 March 2013. Other topics include the findings of a landmark research project on the impact of tourists and other non-resident populations on coastal communities. The conference will also feature information on a new research project to develop a methodology to capture and document coastal values and character in coastal communities and plans for a collaborative advocacy campaign for the forthcoming Federal election. This is an important national event for representatives of coastal councils and other stakeholders who want to play a role in developing Australia's coastal policy agenda. Program and registration form available at - www.seachangetaskforce.org.au/Conference.html Queries: Susan Faulkner 02 9438 1608 (T) or email info@seachangetaskforce.org.au |
| | | | | |  KIDSAFE Local Government: 'Do Not Leave Children in Hot Cars Campaign.'
ATTENTION ALL MAYORS, PR MANAGERS, RISK MANAGERS AND COMMUNITY SAFETY OFFICERS KIDSAFE has developed a community awareness program specifically for Local Government. The program is designed to protect children from being left in hot cars, risking death or serious brain injury. The KIDSAFE 'Do Not Leave Children in Cars' Local Government program provides councils with a complete package to implement an awareness campaign through local media, Mayoral Columns, social media and council websites, as well as directly to local Maternal and Child Health Centres and Early Childhood services. WHAT TO DO: - Purchase Kidsafe's 'Do Not Leave Children in Cars' signs for $70 each or $60 each for orders of 10 or more.
- Stage a media launch in your LGA by placing the first sign in local car park at a playground, park, maternal and child health centre, early childhood service, shopping strip or near a school.
- Issue a media release from the Mayor with a photo of the signs.
- Link to Kidsafe Victoria's free 'Hot Cars' fact sheet from your council website so that community members can find out more (http://www.kidsafevic.com.au/images/stories/pdfs/hotcars.pdf).
- Promote the campaign and its messages through local Maternal and Child Health Centres, Early Childhood services and other Local Government avenues.
Download the 'Do Not Leave Children in Cars' Information Package from http://www.kidsafevic.com.au/news or contact us at E. info@kidsafevic.com.au or Ph. (03) 9251 7725 |
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