 | |  ALGA has this week been finalising the reimbursement of state and territory associations for their contributions to the national campaign for constitutional recognition of local government. The reimbursement follows advice by the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development that it is satisfied with ALGA's audited statements for the acquittal expenditure of almost $3.5 million on the national campaign. On 18 October, Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Warren Truss told ALGA President, Mayor Felicity-ann Lewis that he was sympathetic to allowing local government to use about $3.5 million of the $10 million in Commonwealth funding provided to the sector to execute a national campaign in the lead up to the proposed 2013 referendum. Minister Truss subsequently confirmed his agreement to the reimbursement in a letter dated 5 November. ALGA was provided with $10 million in public funding to support the Yes case in the referendum and the reimbursement is being made from these funds. The balance of $6.5 million is being returned to the Commonwealth. Given that the referendum was cancelled without consultation in August by former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, ALGA had argued that it would be inequitable if councils had to bear the costs of the associated campaign. The referendum was supported by all sides of politics. | | | | |  ALGA has welcomed the Australian Government's intention to fast-track delivery of the Melbourne-to-Brisbane Inland Railway, which would reduce the adverse effects on local road networks by freight vehicles. Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Warren Truss this week said that the Government was determined to roll-out infrastructure essential to "boosting our national productivity" and would bring forward the inland rail project. "To ensure construction starts as soon as possible, I will create a high-level Implementation Group to be chaired by former Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson. This announcement builds on my commitment during the election campaign to provide federal funding of $300 million to get the project back on track," Minister Truss said. "I have written to the Premiers of Queensland, NSW and Victoria to seek their cooperation and invited them to nominate a representative to join the Secretary of my Department, Mr Mike Mrdak, and the CEO of the Australian Rail Track Corporation, Mr John Fullerton, on the Implementation Group. "The Australian Rail Track Corporation will, under the guidance of the Implementation Group, work with interested parties to construct the Inland Rail project through a staged 10-year schedule. "We have also committed to investigate the rail infrastructure required for a new 24/7 dedicated freight line to the Port of Brisbane. I remain committed to working with the Port of Brisbane to develop a significant international gateway linking with the regions and mines of South East Queensland and Northern NSW to the markets of the world." ALGA President, Mayor Felicity-ann Lewis says the inland railway would stimulate growth in local communities in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. "Connecting Melbourne and Brisbane by inland rail would help to ease congestion on the current rail freight route via Sydney and impact on the growth and prosperity of the transport network in rural and regional areas," Mayor Lewis said. | | | | |  ALGA President and Local Government Disability Champion, Mayor Felicity-ann Lewis attended the 2013 National Disability Awards in Canberra last week to honour the outstanding achievements of individuals, teams and organisations that have improved the lives of people with disability. The National Disability Awards form part of the Australian Government's celebration of International Day of People with Disability, which is marked each year on 3 December. Assistant Minister for Social Services, Mitch Fifield , said the Awards aim to "open doors and break barriers to recognise an inclusive society for all". The Prime Minister's Award for Outstanding Achievement was awarded posthumously to passionate disability advocate Lesley Hall, who had been Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations. Lesley Hall, who passed away unexpectedly in October, was recognised for her tireless efforts in advocating for the rights of people with disability to be properly consulted in all decisions affecting their lives. New South Wales' Penrith City Council took out the Award for Excellence in Improving Social Participation with its "No Boundaries" project. "No Boundaries" is an inclusive multimedia arts project demonstrating the benefits of participation in art for people with disability. Through technology, the project provides new opportunities for participation and contributes to social inclusion. The project has involved the collaboration of Penrith City Council, Illuminart Productions Ltd, Accessible Arts NSW, Sylvanvale Foundation, people with disability and professional artists and organisations across the community. The project presents the work of artists with disability to the wider arts community and portrays their work in highly positive ways, leaving a lasting connection with the audience. Penrith City Council has incorporated the "No Boundaries" project into its disability action plan and is committed to its continuation. Other Award Winners include: - Ann Proctor and John Moxon, who both received the Lesley Hall Award for Lifetime Achievement in Disability;
- Sue Race for Excellence in Improving Health and Wellbeing Outcomes;
- Western Desert Dialysis for Excellence in Accessible Communities;
- Hear for You for Excellence in Accessible Communities;
- Robert Pask for Excellence in Advocacy and Rights Promotion;
- Huy Nguyen for the Emerging Leaders Award;
- ABLE Employee Action Group and Westpac Group's Diversity and Flexibility Team for Excellence in Improving Employment Opportunities Award;
- Down Syndrome Victoria for Improving Education Outcomes;
- Susan Race for Improving Health and Wellbeing through a pilot project that takes health care services beyond the hospital; and
- Network Ten's The Project received the Media Award of Distinction for shining the spotlight on disability issues.
The International Day of People with Disability celebrated its 21st year this week on 3 December. To read more about International Day of People with Disability, please visit www.idpwd.com.au | | |
| |  As outlined in our lead story in ALGA News this week, ALGA has received confirmation that local government will soon be reimbursed for the costs of the national campaign on constitutional recognition of local government. ALGA is grateful that the Federal Government has agreed to reimburse the sector for the costs of the campaign but the Association remains concerned about the validity of direct Commonwealth funding for local government. ALGA maintains that a simple and pragmatic change to section 96 of the Constitution could address this issue and while it has raised these concerns with the new Federal Government, ALGA has been reassured that the Government is committed to direct funding of local government through programs such as Roads to Recovery. The Government has also reinforced its belief that the Roads to Recovery program is constitutionally valid. However, it has acknowledged that it will look at the implications of any further High Court challenges before deciding on a further course of action. At our recent Board meeting in November, members agreed that ALGA would continue to work with the Government and the Parliament on whatever steps are necessary to ensure the continuation of direct funding of local government. This issue will be discussed in more detail at our annual Strategic Board Meeting in February next year. Mayor, Dr Felicity-ann Lewis
ALGA President | | |
| | The Australian Government will provide up to $342 million toward around 300 community projects across Australia. These projects will be funded through the new Community Development Grants Programme, as part of the regional community funding package committed to by the Coalition in the 2013 election. The Australian Government will also fund projects that were left uncontracted under the former Labor Government's Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF) (Rounds 2, 3 and 4) and Community Infrastructure Grants Programme (CIG). The Australian Government will fund the RDAF (Rounds 2, 3 and 4) and CIG projects on the condition that contracts are finalised within six months. The new Community Development Grants Programme funding will support needed infrastructure that promotes stable, secure and viable local and regional economies. The Australian Government says it is committed to providing long-term improvements in social and economic infrastructure for communities across Australia. The programme will be administered by the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development, which will undertake a value-for-money assessment against the programme guidelines to ensure transparency in decisions about funding election commitments. In order for an assessment to be undertaken funding recipients will be required to provide detailed project information, including project outcomes and benefits, planning and costs and delivery timeframes. The Australian Government has said that RDAF Round 5 and all subsequent rounds will not be proceeding as these were Labor election commitments and were not funded. | | | | | Geographic labour mobility is helping the economy adjust to major structural change, and has enabled wealth to be spread across the country, according to a draft report released by the Productivity Commission. The Commission found that Australian workers and employers show considerable flexibility in responding to market conditions. Commissioner Alison McClelland said "generally, people are moving to areas with better job opportunities and employers use a range of strategies to attract employees with the required skills". The increased use of fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) practices and temporary immigration have also been critical to meeting labour demand in many parts of the country. However, the report finds that there is room for improvement - areas of skills shortages remain and, at the same time, there are areas of high unemployment. The Commission's draft recommendations include: cutting stamp duties; improving assistance for unemployed people to find employment in other locations; improving the efficiency of land-use planning and land release and the operation of the Commonwealth Rent Assistance program to overcome housing shortages and high prices; and, urgently addressing substantial delays in the implementation of the national occupational licensing system. There are gaps in the understanding and measurement of geographic mobility, particularly of temporary or "service populations". The Commission finds that more can be done in this area, and that the greater use of administrative data for policy analysis and program design is a key. The Commission is seeking comment on this draft report and invites written submissions by Friday 7 February 2014. A final report will be submitted to the Australian Government by May 2014. | | | | | A 10-year strategy outlining work to look more closely at river constraints that affected environmental flows in the Murray-Darling Basin has been released. Chief Executive of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Rhondda Dickson said the strategy was a measured, phased approach to investigate options to modify constraints, assess the impacts of changes and identify and cost the options to avoid or mitigate impacts. "In particular, that work will include how we can make modest changes to increase the frequency of small to medium flows in some areas, and what effect this will have on nearby low-lying properties and how to address any impacts," Dr Dickson said. "In developing the strategy, we've spent the past 12 months doing technical assessments and consulting with local communities and industries." Dr Dickson said the constraints addressed in the strategy were river management practices, physical structures and river height limits that limited how effectively environmental watering was done in the basin. She said by making some changes to constraints, the benefits of environmental watering could be significantly improved. The aim of the strategy is to improve the environmental outcomes that can be achieved beyond the current operating conditions through better use of environmental water while avoiding, managing or mitigating impacts to local communities and industries.
| | | | | The membership of the Prime Minister's Indigenous Advisory Council has been announced. The Council will be chaired by Warren Mundine, who is a member of the Bundjalung and Gumbaynggir people. Mr Mundine will be joined by a mix of leaders with a broad range of skills and experience, including in business and the public sector. They are: Richard Ah Mat; Leah Armstrong; Ngiare Brown; Josephine Cashman; Gail Kelly; Djambawa Marawili; Bruce Martin; David Peever; Andrew Penfold; Peter Shergold; and Daniel Tucker. | | | | | The push to drive employment and skills in the tourism sector is the focus of a key strategic partnership between the Australian Government and the Queensland Government. Federal Tourism Minister Andrew Robb said tourism was Australia's and indeed one of Queensland's key strengths. "As part of a programme to create a more skilled, local tourism workforce, Tourism Employment Plans (TEP) are being rolled out across eight regions of Australia, including across the North, under our Tourism 2020 strategy," he said. "By 2015 we'll need an additional 56,000 workers across Australia to meet expected growth in the sector. "Tropical north Queensland is an important tourism destination and it is vital that the region is equipped to have the right people, with the right skills at the right time to ensure the long term competitiveness of the sector. These plans are also totally compatible with the Federal Government's vision to leverage key strengths to support the development of Northern Australia." According to Tourism Research Australia, tropical north Queensland is the 9th most tourism-dependent region in Australia where it makes up 9.7 per cent of the local economy. This is on the back of a 15.3 per cent increase in international visitation and 12 per cent growth in international expenditure over 2012-13 compared to 2011-12. Queensland's Minister for Tourism, Jan Stuckey has welcomed the TEP initiative, saying it would identify skills gaps and assist employers to plan for, and meet their labour and skills needs. "The Tropical North Queensland TEP will contribute to the implementation of targeted actions which are aligned with the Queensland Government's 20 year plan for tourism. This includes school-based and technical training, as well as the promotion and expansion of career opportunities for Indigenous trainees in visitor economy occupations," Ms Stuckey said. "The TEP also aligns with current programmes aimed at addressing labour and skills issues, including the $8.2 million Workforce Futures programme and the Seasonal Worker Programme trial, which is supporting the accommodation sector meet its seasonal labour shortages in tropical north Queensland." For more information, please visit www.tourism.gov.au/labour | | | | | Assistant Minister for Employment Luke Hartsuyker has reaffirmed the Government's commitment to helping people with disability into sustainable employment. On the 21st anniversary of International Day of People with Disability, Mr Hartsuyker encouraged all Australians to promote an understanding of people with disability and encourage support for their dignity, rights and well being. "The Coalition Government values the contribution people with disability make to Australian society and believes that people with disability want to work and should be supported in their efforts to get and maintain a job," Mr Hartsuyker said. "The Government's Job Services Australia network currently services almost 205,000 job seekers with disability, helping them find sustainable employment. "The Coalition Government is committed to providing assistance to people with disability who are seeking employment. "We believe anyone who can work should be working. That is why our election commitments, which provide incentive payments to job seekers, are so important." Mr Hartsuyker said the redesign of Job Services Australia in 2015 will ensure providers were responsive to people with disability. "Meeting the needs of people with disability can be challenging, given the different individual circumstances of job seekers and labour market diversity across Australia," he said. "International Day of People with Disability is an ideal opportunity for all of us to ensure Australians with disability have access to opportunities to fully participate in social and economic life." | | | | | The Randwick City Council has won the main category at this year's Local Government Excellence in the Environment Awards for its Sustaining our City initiative encompassing a raft of actions that help save water and focus on renewable energy. Speaking at the Local Government Excellence in the Environment Awards, President of Local Government NSW (LGNSW), Cr Keith Rhoades, congratulated Randwick City Council on their very deserving win. "Over the past 12 months Randwick's Sustaining our City initiative, funded by an environmental levy and linked to their 20-year plan, has helped save the community at least 150 million litres of water through stormwater harvesting. "Randwick also doubled its renewable energy generation on more than a dozen Council sites from 73 kilowatts to almost 150 kilowatts. "A stand out achievement of the Sustaining our City initiative is the diversion of more than 50 per cent of the City's waste away from landfill, improving the rate of recycling by educating local residents, and providing permanent electronic waste drop-off and collection points. "In fact engaging and educating the community was central to Randwick's win, with more than 10,000 residents and members of the community getting involved in Randwick's eco-journey. "A comprehensive range of sustainability education events, including the 2013 Ecoliving Fair, along with workshops and activities for residents, schools, local business and staff, clearly demonstrate Randwick's commitment to achieving sustainable change within the Council's own operations and across the community." President Rhoades also paid tribute to the many other winning councils on their outstanding environmental efforts and innovative sustainability projects, which are as diverse as the councils that entered projects in the awards. To view the full list of winners from the 16th annual Excellence in the Environment Awards, click here. | | | | | The Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Senator Michael Ronaldson, this week announced a new and improved version of the ON TRACK with The Right Mix mobile phone application, which is now available for download. The Department of Veterans' Affairs' (DVA) ON TRACK mobile app helps users to keep track of the number and types of drinks they consume; the amount of money the drinks cost; and the impact of the alcohol on wellbeing and fitness. "With the update, users will be able to graph the data being collected - providing a visual representation of the impact of one's drinking behaviour over time. Users will also have the ability to send data to their health clinician, enabling the app to be more easily used in conjunction with treatment," Senator Ronaldson said. DVA has also expanded the options to track how much exercise is required to burn off the alcohol kilojoules consumed. Since being released in March 2013, the app has been downloaded around 3000 times. Current users of the app will receive a notification to download the update. The updated version will also include a feedback feature which allows users to provide feedback to DVA on how they use the app. It can be downloaded free from the Apple App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android) or at www.at-ease.dva.gov.au | | | | | The Toyota Corolla was Australia's top selling car last month, with 3,894 sold. The Mazda3 came in second (3,666), followed by the Toyota Hilux (3,368), Hyundai i30 (3,157) and Holden Commodore (3,097). The top five results highlight the growing popularity of small cars, with three of the five cars falling within the small car segment (Corolla, Mazda3 and i30). November sales in this segment were up 5.7 per cent compared to those from same month in 2012, and year to date sales were up 6.6 per cent. Growth in the small SUV market also continued with sales up 32.9 per cent compared to November 2012, and 22.7 per cent compared to the same year to date period last year. Releasing the November 2013 VFACTS report, Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) Chief Executive Tony Weber said sales of passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles last month totalled 96,924, down 1.4 per cent (or 1,423 vehicles) on November 2012 sales figures. This was a result of a significant decline in sales in Queensland (down 9.8 per cent) and Western Australia (down 15.9 per cent). Nationally; however, year to date sales are up 2.2 per cent compared to same period in 2012, with 1,039,471 vehicles sold between January and November 2013. Government and business purchases continued to decrease last month, with sales down 9.2 and 5.2 per cent (totalling 3,817 and 35,756), respectively, compared to November 2012. Private sales grew 2.8 per cent to total 49,406. Private sales of light commercials and SUVs, in particular, increased significantly, rising 36.1 and 19 per cent (totalling 6,608 and 16,213), respectively, compared to November 2012. Toyota held the top sales position in the November monthly market with 18,098 vehicle sales, ahead of Holden with 10,477, Hyundai with 8,530, Mazda with 8,399 and Ford with 7,914. The Australian-made Holden Commodore, Toyota Camry and Holden Cruze were all in the top ten for sales. | | | | | The Rural Centre in Orange, New South Wales has taken out this month's national Agsafe Achiever's Award. The business provides a range of agvet chemicals to broad acre clients and has been serving the region for close to 50 years. Manager and part owner Keith Garlick said he helps run the mixed business selling broad acre ag supplies, water installation and outdoor power products. "We do a range of agchem, animal health, bulk fertilizer and seed," he said. "Most of the chemical sales are going to growers who grow wheat, canola, pulses and pasture." Mr Garlick, who's been in the industry for 23 years, said he and his staff are very safety conscious, and prides himself on being constantly informed on industry standards. "We're very conscious of being safety minded and being up-to-date with accreditation and information," he said. "That includes being informed and knowing what's dangerous and what's not." Mr Garlick said Agsafe provides an invaluable service that's backed up with professionals who know the industry inside and out. | | |
| | |  Across the country, there are thousands of organised events held on Australia Day, from fun runs first thing in the morning to the fireworks in the evening. And in most towns across Australia, a citizenship ceremony is held. Citizenship ceremonies are an integral part of Australia Day, with tens of thousands of people becoming Australian citizens on 26 January each year. A great way to welcome these new citizens into the community is to include an Australia Citizenship ceremony at official Australia Day events. The Australian Citizenship Affirmation can be included as part of every citizenship ceremony and gives the whole community the opportunity to affirm their loyalty to Australia and its people. It's a wonderful way to bring the whole community together to celebrate our values on Australia Day. All the resources and information you need to include the Affirmation are sent to you free of charge, so why not bring the whole community together at your event with an Affirmation ceremony this Australia Day? For information and free resources, visit australianaffirmation.org.au |
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