 | |  The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has called on all political parties and independent MPs to support changes to the Referendums (Machinery Provisions) Act to remove existing constraints on public funding of referendums ahead of a potential referendum at the time of the September federal election to recognise local government in the Constitution. The changes are included in the Referendums (Machinery Provisions) Amendment Bill 2013 introduced into parliament yesterday by the Special Minister of State, Gary Gray. ALGA President Felicity-ann Lewis met with Minister Gray this week, prior to the introduction of the Bill into parliament. Mayor Lewis said local government has consistently argued the need for public funding for a public education campaign, as well as funding for well-developed Yes and No cases, for referendums. "Funding arrangements for the last referendum held in this country on the Republic in 1999 provided $19.5 million of public funding, with $7.5 million going to either side of the republic debate and $4.5 million spent on a neutral information campaign over a period of five months. The same funding arrangements should apply to all referendums," Mayor Lewis said. "Following research that shows that there is limited understanding of constitutional matters in the Australian community, we have called for public information funding in our submissions to the Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Local Government and the Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition of Local Government. "ALGA has also proposed that funding be available for the campaigns for the Yes and No cases to ensure that the arguments in favour and against the referendum question are comprehensively put before the people to ensure an informed debate and vote. " The Joint Select Committee investigating the likelihood of Australians voting 'yes' in a 2013 referendum to recognise local government in the Constitution has recommended that a referendum on the issue be put to voters at this year's federal election and has also supported public funding for referendum campaigns . ALGA argues that recognition of local government in the Constitution is needed to protect important funding for local projects and provide councils with the certainty that funding for local projects can continue without claims of constitutional invalidity. "Constitutional change can only be achieved though a successful referendum," Mayor Lewis said. | | | | |  ALGA President, Felicity-ann Lewis, met with Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Julie Bishop, to confirm the Opposition's support for a potential referendum on financial recognition of local government in September 2013 and outline local government's argument for public funding of referendum campaigns. In a final report released by the Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition of Local Government on 7 March, the Committee recommended that the referendum take place at the time of the September federal election. Preconditions of a successful referendum include strong bipartisan support; Commonwealth negotiation with state and territory governments; a public information campaign; and changes to the referendum process to allow public funding of referendum campaigns. The Australian Government has welcomed the release of the Committee's final report and former Local Government Minister Simon Crean issued a media release last week stating that the federal government was committed to achieving constitutional recognition of local government. However, the former Minister highlighted that achieving constitutional recognition will require support from both political parties and all sates. While public funding of campaigns for federal elections has long been accepted by Parliament, there are still restrictions on the public funding of referendum campaigns, which is why ALGA has called for the support of all political parties and independent MPs to support changes to the Referendums (Machinery Provisions) Act. Julie Bishop reinforced the need for need for support from the bulk of state governments in order for a referendum to succeed. While ALGA and state associations of local government have been advocating strongly with state governments to achieve constitutional recognition of local government, the Victorian, News South Wales, Tasmanian and Western Australian Governments have shown a lack of support. Mayor Lewis also took the opportunity to discuss Financial Assistance Grants (FAGs) with Ms Bishop. ALGA acknowledges that the Commonwealth is undertaking a review of the FAGs system and welcomes the progress already taken. However, ALGA believes the FAGs pool should be increased, in line with the growth in the economy, demand for local services and raising costs. Mayor Lewis also raised the need for a restructured system of disaster management funding to improve the resilience of local government infrastructure. Local government has been a strong supporter of Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA). However, given the scale and continued impacts of recent natural disasters, particularly the floods in Queensland, it is likely that even under the NDRRA arrangements, a number of councils will not be in a position to adequately fund the restoration of local infrastructure. Local government therefore endorses initiatives that increase resources available to councils to build capacity in local and regional communities to identify, mitigate and adapt, as well as respond to natural disasters. | | | | |  The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) is set to host its 19th National General Assembly (NGA) of local government, offering a significant opportunity for local government representatives and elected officials to discuss issues facing councils and develop agreed national positions to inform the development of ALGA's policies for the coming year. Through the NGA, to be held from 16-19 June in the nation's capital, local government representatives can engage directly with key federal politicians, move and debate motions, hear from a range of subject matter experts, and network with local government colleagues from around Australia. With this being an election year, the June NGA is themed Foundations for the Future - Twenty 13, and ALGA intends to use the event to officially launch an election document to be presented to all political parties. This year's election will determine the Australian Government of the next three years, and set the nation's direction for the future. The lead up to the federal election is an opportunity to seek commitments from all federal political parties about the way in which they will work with and support councils in meeting community needs. The election document will outline local government's core priorities and propose a list of specific actions that are needed at the federal level to build resilience at the local and regional level in order to prepare communities to meet their current and future challenges. Among those challenges is the need for Commonwealth reform to bolster local government finances. A financial recognition referendum, potentially held in September 2013, is one the specific objectives of ALGA's election document. Constitutional recognition remains a priority for the ALGA Board. Given the pace of developments and an expected announcement of the Government's intentions in April 2013, ALGA is not seeking council motions on constitutional recognition for this year's NGA. A comprehensive update will be given to delegates at the NGA, based on the responses of the Government, the Opposition and State Premiers to the Committee's final report. This year's NGA will be held at the National Convention Centre Canberra from 16-19 June. To register your attendance and access a program, visit www.alga.asn.au | | |
| |  This week I was delighted to have been nominated as a member of the People of Australia Ambassador program, which appoints local champions to promote inclusion and strengthen community relations. People of Australia Ambassadors provide advice to the Australian Multicultural Council and to the Australian Government about effective initiatives which promote belonging and leverage diversity in our communities. Ambassadors are appointed for a 12-month period and will have key roles in annual community events and celebrations including Harmony Day. Harmony Day is celebrated each year on 21 March to recognise the many origins of those who call Australia home. On Thursday, local communities across the country participated in a variety of activities and events, allowing residents to come together to share aspects of their culture, faith and language and observe the many benefits of multiculturalism. It is an important inclusion in the local government calendar. A day of cultural respect, it is widely celebrated across schools, childcare centres, community groups, churches, businesses and federal, state and local government agencies. The message of Harmony Day is "everyone belongs" and this could not be more appropriate in my own city of Marion, where locals participated in a number of events to celebrate food, music and dance of different origins. Like so many local communities, Marion's successes have been shaped by a range of social and cultural influences. This is reflective of Australia's strong multicultural background, with almost 50 per cent of the national population being born overseas or having at least one parent born overseas. 21 March provides an opportune time to reflect on how Australia is progressing, while recognising the traditional owners of this land. From the Dreamtime to the Eureka to the Snowy River, from the outback to the city, in wartime and in peace, the chapters of Australian history are both rich and inspirational. To get involved in Harmony Day and find out what's happening in your local area on this day each year, visit the National Harmony Day Diary or read more at www.harmonyday.gov.au
Mayor Felicity-ann Lewis
ALGA President | | |
| | A new organisation with a central coordinating role will pave the way for a national approach to asbestos awareness and management in Australia. At the second Asbestos Summit held in Sydney this week, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Bill Shorten announced the Government’s response to the comprehensive Asbestos Management Review (commissioned in October 2010). "The Australian Government declares its commitment to establishing an Office of Asbestos Safety which will be tasked with developing a national strategic plan as recommended by the Review, by 1 July 2013," Mr Shorten said. "As an insidious killer asbestos is a national issue requiring urgent attention and greater national preventative coordination - so we are making a concerted effort to address it. A critical element of the recommendations is the establishment of a body to oversee how we manage asbestos in Australia and how we can reduce exposure to asbestos." The Review, released in Parliament on 16 August, made 12 recommendations to address asbestos issues and a national coordinated effort is now needed. A national strategic plan with the buy-in of all Australian governments and political parties will be the foundation upon which these efforts can be built and directed. "We have carefully considered the recommendations contained in the Review. The recommendations highlighted the need for a new nationally coordinated approach and national strategic plan to improve asbestos awareness and management arrangements in Australia. "We will continue to consult with state and territory governments to develop the functions, structure and funding of the new asbestos office and the content of the strategic plan." The Asbestos Management Review Report - June 2012 report is available online. | | | | | Both the House of Representatives and the Senate have passed legislation to set up the Government's National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The Bill, which will allow the scheme to be launched from July, passed with the support of all MPs. Disability Reform Minister Jenny Macklin broke down as she wound up her speech on the Bill. Commonwealth funding includes: - $342m over three years for individually funded packages for people with significant and permanent disability;
- $154m over three years to employ local area coordinators;
- $58m over three years to assess the needs of people with a disability in launch locations; and
- $240m over four years to build and operate an NDIS IT system
"This bill is an enormous step in ensuring people with disability, their families and carers, receive peace of mind," she said. "It will bring an end to the tragedy of services denied or delayed and instead offer people with disability the care and support they need over their lifetimes. "It will end the cruel lottery that besets people today, where the care and support they receive depends on where they live or how they acquired their disability." Ms Macklin says the scheme will initially benefit about 26,000 people in launch sites in five states and territories. The scheme aims to cover 360,000 people with a profound or severe disability, with a separate national injury insurance scheme to cover people who suffer a catastrophic injury. | | | | | The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) says an $80 million disaster fund is not enough to improve state infrastructure. The Federal and Queensland governments have announced $40 million each to help communities rebuild after recent floods. LGAQ president Margaret de Wit says $200 million is needed to do the job properly. "The demands out there, the needs of communities are just so great, that the $80 million will help in some ways, but it's not going to be able to solve the problem entirely for us," she said. "It really is up to the Government to work with local councils and determine what is the fairest way to distribute this money. "It really is not enough from the Federal Government - there needs to be at least $200 million coming from the Federal Government to try to achieve what we need with betterment after the floods. | | | | | For the first time there will be a permanent solution to providing disaster assistance to workers, small business people and farmers experience a loss of income as a direct result of a disaster. Attorney-General and Minister for Emergency Management Mark Dreyfus QC introduced the Social Security Legislation Amendment (Disaster Recovery Assistance) Bill, which creates the Disaster Recovery Allowance. The allowance will provide fortnightly payments equivalent to the maximum rate of Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance for up to 13 weeks following a disaster. "Over this summer Australians have suffered devastating disasters, including cyclones, flooding and bushfires," said Mark Dreyfus. "Supporting workers, small businesses and farmers following a disaster and keeping them in their local area is key to long term community recovery. "If workers lose their job following a natural disaster, often they will be forced to relocate to find new work. "Training new workers takes time and money. This payment will mean that workers, small businesses and farmers will be financially supported so that they can remain in the community and return to work after recovery and rebuilding efforts conclude." The Disaster Recovery Allowance will replace the current Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy payment, which is delivered via an ex gratia payment. Once passed, the Disaster Recovery Allowance will start on 1 October 2013. | | | | | Melbourne's airport rail link is close to fruition with the Victorian government confirming a route for development. Transport Minister Terry Mulder said a Melbourne Airport Rail Link study found the chosen Albion East route outperformed 80 alternatives. Mr Mulder said the recommended route for development would utilise infrastructure already being planned. This includes the government's planned Melbourne metro rail tunnel that will connect with the proposed airport route. The study looked at a 2001 Albion East plan that used existing rail to connect to Melbourne CBD's Southern Cross Station which it found did not allow for growth. A redesigned route uses the 2001 reserved land and the Sunshine rail corridor in Melbourne's west, but connects it with the planned Melbourne metro rail tunnel. "This new design will unlock airport access for people in Melbourne's southeast and CBD, with the connection via Melbourne Metro enabling people to use the planned Dandenong-Sunshine rail corridor to travel straight to Melbourne Airport," Mr Mulder said. Tourism and Transport Forum acting chief executive Trent Zimmerman said the rail link was a key piece of infrastructure for Victoria. "Integrating the rail link into the existing network will take longer, but will allow more Melburnians to take the train to the airport and more visitors to get to their final destination in the city without changing," Mr Zimmerman said. | | | | | The Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities has published a national plan to improve the quality and coverage of Australia's environmental information.
According to the Department, the National Plan for Environmental Information was developed to bring together all efforts in national environmental information, building and maintaining the critical information infrastructure for the future.
The initiative aims to deliver improved access to high quality information to assist environmental decision-making by Government agencies and is part of a collaboration between the Department and the Bureau of Meteorology. It follows an Independent Review of Australian Government Environmental Information Activity, commissioned in 2011, to analyse the efficiency, effectiveness and appropriateness of the Australian Government’s current practices relating to environmental information.
The review was also tasked with identifying options to improve the provision and use of environmental information generated with government investment and recommended a comprehensive set of actions to address issues.
Its final report identified obstacles to effective and efficient use of the environmental information base across Government, summarised in five themes: cultural issues that inhibit collaboration between policy makers and information providers; structural barriers to coordination and cooperation; current funding arrangements; technical barriers; and legal barriers.
Additionally, in 2012 the Environmental Information Advisory Group (EIAG) released a Statement of Australian Government Requirements for Environmental Information whichidentified policy, research and operational activities of the Australian Government that were dependent upon environmental information.
The Department is currently considering the findings and recommendations of the independent review in consultation with other agencies for the purposes of developing a long term strategy for environmental information.
To view the final report, click here. | | | | | The Victorian Government has announced $6 million in local government funding to support communities adapt to climate change. The funding was announced following the release of the State Government's Climate Change Adaptation Plan. State Minister for Climate Change, Ryan Smith, said the funding would be directed to help rollout 'practical efforts' that help Victorian communities better respond to the risks of a changing climate. "The new funding, delivered under the Victorian Adaptation and Sustainability Partnership, will provide real and practical support to local government through funding, mentoring and a range of partnership projects. The partnership includes the membership of all 79 Victorian local councils," Mr Smith said. Under the funding package, the State Government will establish a new adaptation mentoring initiative which aims to provide practical assistance to local governments in conducting climate change adaptation risk assessment and planning activities. "Skilled mentors will work with councils to address adaptation planning in practical ways. This could involve assessing data and risks from bushfires, sea level rise, floods and storms, through to droughts and their possible impact on local economies, service delivery, the environment and infrastructure," Mr Smith said. The $6 million funding will deliver support to local government and their communities through: - $4 million in grants for individual and partnership projects to enhance sustainability and climate resilience locally. The first round will open in mid-2013;
- a new, two-year, state-wide mentoring initiative that provides skilled mentors to work together with councils, supported by a training package and an interactive adaptation knowledge hub; and
- partnership projects to progress key adaptation and sustainability issues between state and local government and information sharing between councils.
For more information about the Victorian Adaptation and Sustainability Partnership, visit www.dse.vic.gov.au/vasp | | | | | Queensland's Uranium Mining Implementation Committee has handed down its final report outlining how the uranium industry should be re-established in Queensland. State Natural Resources and Mines Minister, Andrew Cripps, received 40 recommendations from the Committee, which was established late last year. "The Committee’s report provides a blueprint for the development of a best-practice uranium mining industry in Queensland," Mr Cripps said. "I presented the report to the Premier and my Cabinet colleagues, and the State Government will now review and consider the committee's recommendations. Mr Cripps was at pains to stress the industry would be re-established along world’s best practice and health and safety standards. While uranium mining continues in South Australia and the Northern Territory, its mining has been banned in Queensland since 1989, and has not been actively mined since 1982. Chairman of the Uranium Mining Implementation Committee, Central Highlands Councillor Paul Bell, said a well-regulated uranium mining industry would pave the way for significant economic activity in regional Queensland. "This report makes practical recommendations about important issues including environmental management and protection, health and safety, economic and community development, and the safe transportation of uranium," Mr Bell said. "We are confident that the recommendations within this report not only represent best practice, but are responsive to the needs of the regions where uranium mining is most likely to take place." According to the latest projects, the total value of Queensland’s uranium deposits are estimated to be in excess of $10 billion. The full report can be found here. | | | | | The latest round of the Commonwealth's T-QUAL (tourism quality) grants program is open for applications. This program is designed to promote sustainability within the tourism sector, both for its own good and the impact the sector has on the communities they are in. T-QUAL grants have been available since 2010, they are merit based and are divided into two categories. The first are grants of up to $1 million for projects that are designed to boost employment, Indigenous engagement and increase the role of tourism in an area's economy. The second category are for small scale projects with grants of between $15,000 and $100,000 to boost existing capacity, there is a special focus on projects with the goal of increasing private sector investment. There are limited opportunities for local government body corporates to apply. The applications for this program will close on Friday 3 May at 5pm EST. Further information about the program and applying are available here. | | | | | The 2013 Australian Bicycling Achievement Awards were announced in Canberra this week. The Local Government Achievement Award to recognise achievements by local governments in making their communities more bicycle friendly, promoting and encouraging cycling has been given to the City of Mount Gambier. Mount Gambier was awarded for its clear and comprehensive Strategic Bicycle Plan that guides the development of infrastructure and promotion of cycling throughout the city. To learn more about the Awards and this year's winners, click here. | | |
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