 | |  Despite media reports this week that a referendum on constitutional recognition of local government is likely to be held in conjunction with the September federal election, the Australian Government is yet to announce that it will go ahead at this time. ALGA has called on the Commonwealth to commit to the planned referendum, following national talks involving all three tiers of government at last week's joint meeting of the Council of Australia Governments' Regional Australia Standing Council. "The timing for the referendum needs to be resolved so that local government can move forward with its national campaign," Mayor Lewis said. "In the last 18 months, the Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Local Government and the Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition of Local Government have recommended that a financial recognition referendum be held at the time of the federal election in September 2013 but the Federal Government is yet to confirm the referendum. "Now that the Commonwealth has had the chance to discuss the issue in depth with state and territory local government Ministers, the Federal Government needs to make a decision quickly to move the referendum forward. "ALGA and our local government state and territory associations are fully committed to a September 2013 referendum but we need bipartisan commitment from the Commonwealth and the Opposition. "We need a Federal Government decision on the timing of the referendum as quickly as possible so that we can carry forward our fight to protect federal funding for councils. We also need a commitment from the Opposition to support the referendum. We have already begun the process to recruit a national campaign director and each state and territory association of local government has committed to fund a multi-million dollar integrated campaign. "Our research shows there's a substantial base of community support for financial recognition of councils and we are keen to build on this support in a national campaign." "This is an issue that won’t and can’t go away. Councils want financial certainty. They need formal recognition as legitimate recipients of direct federal funding. Without it, funding under programs such as Roads to Recovery are at risk of High Court challenge. "Recent High Court decisions in the Pape Case and Williams Case, which both considered the power of the Commonwealth to provide direct funding to entities not recognised in the Constitution, only heighten anxiety about the Commonwealth's legal ability to continue to directly fund councils." Local government seeks an amendment of Section 96 of the Constitution so that it would read: "Parliament may grant financial assistance to any state or local government formed by or under a law of a state or territory on such terms and conditions as the Parliament sees fit." | | | | |  Councils have submitted notices of motions to ALGA ahead of the 2013 National General Assembly (NGA) to be held in June. The motions demonstrate the level of initiative and innovation that comes from the local government sector, as well as the sector's resilience in the face of serious financial sustainability issues. Motions cover issues such as the need for permanent funding under the Roads to Recovery program; calls for more money for community infrastructure; efforts to reduce cost shifting from other levels of government onto councils; and the need for a broad review into the Commonwealth's system of financing local government. The NGA brings together about 800 delegates from councils across Australia to debate issues of national significance to local government and express a united voice on core issues affecting their communities. Registrations received for this year's NGA demonstrate incredibly strong interest in the event, which will include the launch of ALGA's federal election document. Held as a curtain raiser to the NGA, the Regional Cooperation and Development Forum generally attracts around 300 mayors, councillors and regional development practitioners to examine emerging regional development challenges and opportunities, and to hear from leading experts, academics and their colleagues. This year's Forum includes the inaugural Regional Development Poster Display, which is aimed at showcasing the regional development initiatives local government authorities are currently undertaking. ALGA has received strong interest in the display, with applications from councils, Regional Development Australia Committees and Regional Organisations of Councils (ROCs). This year's NGA will be held from 16-19 June at the National Convention Centre in Canberra, with the Regional Forum held at the same venue on Sunday 16 June. For detailed program information or to register, go to www.alga.asn.au | | | | |  For a long time, the focus of the discussions around climate change has been about carbon emissions; reducing them, paying for them and creating credits to sell and buy. However, the mitigation argument is just one side of the issue. The other is how communities prepare for climate change. Local government has a particular interest in adaptation as it focuses on elements that councils think about every day such as planning and infrastructure support. Recently, however, there has been more attention placed on the information that councils base their decisions on. Lots of valuable research work is being done to ensure that councils are using the best evidence base available. ALGA was represented at a workshop in Brisbane last week, run by the Australian National Data Service and Griffith University. This workshop was attended by a range of stakeholders including the Commonwealth department and Natural Resources Management (NRM) groups, as well as a number of researchers. The purpose was to aid those building climate adaptation products to better understand the needs and abilities of those who actually use the data to make decisions. The ALGA presentation focused on the need to fill the gaps between the researchers' work and council needs and the requirement for end products to be user focused and easily understood and navigated. The need for strong adaptation support is a key part of the ALGA submission to the 2013-14 Federal Budget. Councils need more support to shore up vulnerable infrastructure and ensure future planning decisions are based on best modelling. Increased engagement between researchers and local government is a key way to help local government prepare for the future effects of climate change. | | |
| |  In the Spirit of Anzac, commemoration ceremonies were held in communities across the country this week to reflect on the sacrifices made by those who fought for the freedoms we enjoy today. It is occasions such as these that reinforce the important role councils play in bringing communities together for a common cause. Councils work closely with the Returned and Services League (RSL) in organising commemorative events and services across the country to attract people of all ages, especially the younger generations. Ensuring local war memorials are properly maintained is an important focus of their commitment to keeping the Anzac Spirit alive. This role has been recognised by the Australian Government, which recently announced grants to encourage communities across Australia to recognise the Anzac Centenary between 2014 and 2018 and mark 100 years since the nation's involvement in World War One. The Anzac Centenary Local Grants Program provides $100,000 per electorate. Councils are being encouraged to identify local initiatives that recognise Australian service during the First World War. About 330,000 Australians served overseas during the First World War, including more than 50,000 at Gallipoli. As such, many Australian families have links to our first Anzacs and diggers. 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 that could be considered for grant funding would include the restoration of existing First World War memorials or honour boards and the preservation of military memorabilia and artefacts. The Grants will be available in 2013-14, with information available at www.anzaccentenary.gov.au Mayor Felicity-ann Lewis
ALGA President | | |
| | A new brochure outlining how drivers can use best-practice mobile phone technology to comply with road rules by keeping their eyes on the road has attracted interest from Local Government Road Safety Officers in Victoria and New South Wales. The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) has produced a brochure - “Keep Your Eyes on the Road”- with assistance from a senior road traffic policeman and input from one of the world’s leading road safety experts on driver distractions, Dr Tom Dingus of the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) in the United States. AMTA spokesman Randal Markey said the brochure aimed to increase support, awareness and adoption of national road rules requiring drivers to use their mobiles in approved cradles or Bluetooth to help reduce the risk of reaching for objects in cars, which has been shown to be 8.8 times more risky for adult drivers. "The key is to buy, install and use a cradle for your phone. Smartphones provide voice-activated dialling and automatic answering to allow drivers to keep their eyes on the road at all times," he said. "Keep Your Eyes on the Road" is available here. For brochure-style hard copy contact randal.markey@amta.org.au | | | | | The Australian Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the Bruce Highway, this week releasing a ten-year, $4.1 billion capital works program which will further improve safety, cut travel times, ease congestion and improve the road's flood immunity. The Bruce Highway is Queensland's main northsouth transport link extending a distance of 1,700 kilometres and connecting Brisbane to the state's major regional and coastal communities. Each day, this road is used by more than 500,000 motorists and truck drivers. The Government says the package of works will also lower transport costs and boost national productivity. The Government said it is "determined to continue the work we began five years ago on building a Bruce Highway which supports Queensland's growth and development, with this latest announcement taking our total commitment to this vital economic lifeline to $5.7 billion". A list of some of the major projects that will proceed as a result of the funding can be found here. | | | | | The Australian Government will continue its support for organisations that protect and manage Australia's natural resources. Regional Natural Resource Management organisations (NRMs) will share in $669 million to continue their work to enhance and maintain Australia's biodiversity and environment over the next five years. Minister for the Environment, Tony Burke, and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig, said funding would be made available to Australia's 54 regional NRM organisations through the Government’s Caring for our Country program. The organisations play an important role in building an environment that is healthier, better protected, well managed and resilient and ensuring our farming practices are sustainable. "These groups have extraordinary local knowledge. They are about making sure the expertise that exists within catchments becomes part of every step of environmental management," Mr Burke said. "This goes right to the heart of the environmental need to act locally. "This funding will help support the important work in regional level natural resource management, planning and prioritisation and brokering partnerships. "Funding will support the development of, and access to, knowledge and skills to deliver onground activities in regional communities." Minister Ludwig said regional NRM organisations would remain a key focus of Caring for our Country in phase two of the program. The second phase of Caring for our Country will be focused under complementary Sustainable Agriculture and Sustainable Environment streams to encourage greater efficiency and a more focussed delivery of the priorities within the government’s broader sustainability agenda. Regional delivery will be administered by the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. To find out more visit www.nrm.gov.au. | | | | | The Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, and the Minister for Resources and Energy, Gary Gray, have signed a Regional Agreement with Newmont Boddington Gold and the Gnaala Karla Booja people to increase Aboriginal employment in the south-west region of Western Australia. This important agreement builds on the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Australian Government and the Minerals Council of Australia in 2009. "The Gillard Government is committed to helping people in remote and regional parts of Western Australia get the skills they need to get a job," Ms Macklin said. "The Memorandum of Understanding has already identified a number of opportunities that will help promote Aboriginal employment in the region." The Australian Government has provided $134,000 over two years to help support the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding. One of the partners to the agreement, Newmont Boddington Gold, currently employs more than 80 Aboriginal people and through this work has committed to employ 116 Aboriginal people by 2018. This will represent 10 per cent of their total workforce. "Today's statement sets out the responsibilities of each party in improving employment and business development opportunities for Indigenous people in South Western Australia," Mr Gray said. "We know that creating job opportunities for more Aboriginal people at the local level and strengthening the local labour market is essential to addressing disadvantage and enabling better outcomes for Indigenous people and communities." "As part of our efforts in Closing the Gap we have set a goal of halving the gap in employment outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians within a decade by 2018," Ms Macklin said. "We know that Government cannot close the gap alone which is why partnerships between governments and industry are so important." | | | | | The Federal Minister for Disability Reform, Jenny Macklin, and South Australian Minister for Disabilities, Tony Piccolo, visited Orana in Netley this week to celebrate the historic agreement that will see the full roll out of DisabilityCare Australia across South Australia by July 2018. Ms Macklin said the agreement was a huge step forward for people with disability in South Australia, as well as their families and carers. "This historic agreement will provide around 33,000 South Australians with disability choice and control over the care and support they receive," Ms Macklin said. "DisabilityCare Australia will give all South Australians the peace of mind that if they have or acquire a disability or have a child with disability that leaves them needing daily care and support, that they will get the support they need, when they need it." Mr Piccolo said that the agreement builds on the upcoming launch in South Australia from July this year. "The launch will initially focus on children aged birth to five, extending to 13 years by 2014 and in the third year of launch will cover all eligible children up to 14 years," Mr Piccolo said. "We will progressively roll out DisabilityCare Australia in South Australia so that by July 2018, all eligible residents will be covered." Under the agreement: - By 2018-19, the South Australian Government will provide $723 million to cover all people in South Australia. This contribution was determined using the benchmark set by New South Wales in the agreement reached with the Commonwealth in December 2012. This will contribute to the cost of care and support for people with disability.
- By 2018-19, the Commonwealth Government will contribute around $760 million to the scheme for South Australians. This will be around 51 per cent of scheme costs. In addition, the Commonwealth will cover the full cost of people who turn 65 and choose to remain in the scheme.
| | | | | The public now has an opportunity to comment on the Independent Local Government Review Panel's latest report, which was released by the independent panel this week. NSW Local Government Minister Don Page said the NSW community should comment on the Independent Local Government Review Panel's latest report after its 10-month review of the sector. Mr Page made the call as the Independent Local Government Review Panel, which was established at the request of the Local Government and Shires Association - (now Local Government NSW) - enters its last consultation phase before releasing its final recommendations to the Minister in late September. "I urge all concerned to contribute as this process enters its final stage," Mr Page said. "I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Independent Panel headed by Professor Graham Sansom for all their ongoing hard work," Mr Page said. "I encourage the community and the local government sector to provide feedback to the draft recommendations and I look forward to receiving their final report in September." "I would also like to reaffirm the Liberals and Nationals Government's policy of no forced amalgamations." Those wishing to make a submission to the panel should visit www.localgovernmentreveiw.nsw.gov.au or email info@localgovernmentreview.nsw.gov.au | | | | | An immigration outreach officer will visit Kadina, Port Pirie, Port Augusta, Whyalla and Port Lincoln in April and May to conduct information seminars about employer-sponsored skilled migration options and to explain new laws and penalties for employing or referring people who are not allowed to work. A Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) spokesman said significant changes to the employer-sponsored skilled visa program were introduced on 1 July 2012. "These seminars will provide an overview of these changes, including information about SkillSelect," the spokesman said. "SkillSelect is an online service that connects Australian employers with potential skilled migrants and streamlines the pathway to permanent residence for people already working in Australia on temporary skilled 457 visas. "Our officer can provide a range of information about temporary or permanent employer-sponsored visa options and the concessions available for regional applicants." The seminars will also educate businesses about their responsibility for checking to ensure that the workers they use are allowed to work in Australia. This will include information about new laws recently passed by the Parliament, which introduce civil penalties and infringement notices for employers or labour suppliers of illegal workers. Seminar bookings are essential. Please RSVP to outreach.sa@immi.gov.au or phone 0434 076 437 by 13 May. | | | | | Creativity Australia's With One Voice choirs are helping diverse communities connect, be inspired and unleash creative potential. The choirs deliberately build social capital, resulting in positive social and economic outcomes. With One Voice choirs run in 14 locations in Victoria and New South Wales and the program is set for expansion. The national distribution model aims to bring the benefits of the choir program to communities across Australia. Founder, soprano and social entrepreneur Tania de Jong AM said With One Voice welcomes all people seeking harmony, health and happiness. "With One Voice builds bridges of understanding across cultural, generational, religious and socioeconomic boundaries," Tania said. "Choir members come from all walks of life. They are professionals, young people, migrants, older Australians, people with disabilities, those experiencing disadvantage and more. "From CEOs to asylum seekers, With One Voice choirs can help people find their voice, make friends, find mentors, build self-esteem and new skills, find jobs, learn English and much more." The choirs are led by professional conductors and meet weekly, followed by supper. The choirs share songs and stories at several performances each year, culminating in a massive combined concert. To hear their inspirational songs and stories, visit our video gallery. "There are no auditions and no singing experience is needed. It’s all about wellbeing, a sense of belonging and lifting spirits through song," Tania said. "When many diverse voices come together as one on a regular basis, the outcomes are transformational." Creativity Australia is a non-profit organisation. For more information visit, www.creativityaustralia.org.au | | | | | Nominations for the Australia Award for Urban Design close in three weeks. The Australia Award for Urban Design is the premier award for excellence and innovation in all elements of urban design in Australia. The winning project, partners and stakeholders are held in high esteem within the industry, among peers and are widely recognised in the media. Individuals, groups and organisations in the planning, development and design industries recently involved with Australian urban design initiatives, projects or developments that deserve national recognition are invited to nominate. The Australia Award for Urban Design is hosted by the Planning Institute of Australia with support from the Australian Institute of Architects, Property Council of Australia, Green Building Council of Australia, Consult Australia, The Australian Urban Design Forum and the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects. For further information please contact Robyn Vincin at nswmanager@planning.org.au or by phoning 02 8904 1011. | | | | | With a few taps on their smart phone job seekers can now search through some 40,000 job vacancies and find their perfect match through a new free Government app anywhere, anytime. Employment Participation Minister Kate Ellis this week launched the Australian Government’s new Australian JobSearch mobile app for Apple and Android devices at the Penrith Jobs and Skills Expo. Ms Ellis said the new app was now available on iTunes and Google Play. "The new app is a win for job seekers and a win for businesses looking for workers - especially in regional Australia," Ms Ellis said. "Anything that gets job seekers in touch with job vacancies more easily and quickly is great for the job market and our economy. "The app makes Australia’s largest free on-line job search website available on hand held devices and uses GPS technology so job seekers can look for work in their immediate area. "This will be useful in linking job seekers with farmers looking for workers for casual jobs such as fruit picking on what’s known as the Harvest Trail. "The app will also be useful to anyone looking for work in the mining industry, or any other industry with job vacancies advertised on the JobSearch website. "I urge anyone looking for work to visit iTunes, for Apple devices, and Google Play for Android systems and download their free app today." The app brings Australian JobSearch (www.jobsearch.gov.au) to mobile devices across Australia. | | |
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