 | |  Restoration of indexation for Financial Assistance Grants, the White Papers on the Reform of the Federation and Taxation, natural disaster funding and developing an election campaign platform in the lead up to the 2016 election were the headline items for action identified at the ALGA Board strategic planning meeting in Canberra last Thursday and Friday. In a media release issued on Tuesday 24 February ALGA President Mayor Troy Pickard said the board reviewed ALGA's strategic plan, in light of current Federal Government policy in relation to local government, and as a result will refocus efforts on these four key issues in the coming months. The media release can be found on ALGA's website The priorities identified, and changes to ALGA's strategic plan will go to the March ALGA Board meeting to be ratified. | | | | |  ALGA has started a major project to identify the importance of a whole of government approach to investment in local government infrastructure. This started with ALGA's State of the Local Roads Asset report which has been run successfully every year since 1012 and the aim for 2015 is to expand the report to include the other significant classes of assets councils are typically responsible for such as building and facilities; parks and recreation; stormwater and water cycle management; water and wastewater; and airports and aerodromes. The 2015 National State of the Assets Community Infrastructure Report will aim to show current service levels and what proportion of community infrastructure needs additional investment to be in a state of good repair. ALGA has commissioned Jeff Roorda and Associates (JRA) in partnership with the Australian Centre for Excellence for Local Government (ACELG), the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA) and JAC Comrie to undertake the work. Data collection for this report is set to start next week and will run through until the end of April 2015. ALGA is encouraging all councils to take part in this project. Instructions will be provided to councils on how to access the Community Infrastructure Report data collection portal known as JRA Datashare during early March. | | | | |  The Australian Government currently spends almost $7 billion a year to support families to access child care. After a 12 month review, the Productivity Commission's final report, originally presented to the Government in October last year, was made public on February 20, 2015. Key recommendations contained in the report include: - A single child-based means-tested subsidy to replace the several existing childcare support payments. The single Early Care and Learning Subsidy (ECLS) would be available to all children attending approved early childhood education and care services with certification under the National Quality Framework.
- Support for early childhood and childcare centres in rural, regional and remote areas through the establishment of a capped Viability Assistance Program (VAP) to assist ECEC providers in those areas.
- Introduction of Commonwealth funding for eligible home based services. This would enable ECEC funding to be available for nannies and home-based services that meet the National Quality Standard. To be eligible nannies must meet standards determined by the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), hold a Certificate III or equivalent, and maintain staff ratios which apply to family day care centres.
The PC recommendations are based on a relatively budget-neutral position, and predict a small change to workforce participation, estimating that the number of mothers working would rise by 1.2%. The PC report will underpin a new families package flagged by the Abbott government in the upcoming federal budget in May. The PC report is available here | | |
| |  The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has established its priorities for the year ahead, with the restoration of indexation of Financial Assistance Grants (FAGs) the top agenda item for the ALGA Board. The Board met in Canberra last Thursday and Friday for a two day strategic planning meeting and reviewed ALGA's current strategic plan, and in light of current Federal issues impacting on local government, refocused efforts on four key issues. The focus throughout 2015-16 will be on Financial Assistance Grants, the Reform of the Federation and Taxation White Papers, the future of natural disaster funding and developing ALGA's election campaign platform in the lead up to the 2016 election. The decision to freeze indexation of Financial Assistance Grants in the May 2014 Budget for three years will see $925 million stripped from local government by 2017-18. These grants are a vital part of the revenue base of all councils and they are used to help fund essential local services and infrastructure. It is also important that local government's voice is heard in the debate on both the Federation and Taxation White Papers as both issues may potentially impact on the established Federal-local government relationship. Our two spheres of government have strong ties, with Federal funds helping local government provide valuable services in the local community. Possible changes to the Federation should strengthen this tie, not sever it. Any reform of the Taxation system must also acknowledge and maintain the integrity of local government's rates base which is so important for local communities. ALGA will continue to be involved in the debate surrounding natural disaster funding, and in advocacy for the importance of investment in mitigation, not just recovery after disasters. The Federal Government's response in the coming months to the Productivity Commission's report into natural disaster funding arrangements may have profound implications for local government and its ability to support communities. The final priority area for the ALGA Board is to develop a policy platform for local government in the lead up to the 2016 election. This will no doubt capture the key priority issues the Board is focused on for the next year, along with a range of other issues such as investment to improve the productivity of local roads and to increase local opportunities through enhanced community infrastructure. Mayor Troy Pickard ALGA President | | |
| | The Collaboration of Community-based Obesity Prevention Sites (CO-OPS) Australian Obesity Prevention Community Awards showcase initiatives that demonstrated excellence and leadership in community-based approaches to the prevention of obesity. The awards provide an opportunity to celebrate success and recognise best practice in obesity prevention. This year's categories are: - Excellence in obesity prevention
- Project Design & Planning
- Implementation & Evaluation
Get a chance to be recognised for your outstanding work in obesity prevention. Applications close at midnight on Sunday 15 March 2015. Apply now | | | | | There is a growing concern among communities about the welfare of young people at risk of becoming involved in violent extremism. We know the road to radicalisation is a complex one and the risk factors can vary greatly. Specialised intervention programmes can help keep vulnerable people, their families and the community safe from violent extremism. The Australian Government is seeking your support to identify services that can help prevent people from becoming radicalised, for example the types of services could include: - religious and multicultural mentoring
- specialised mental health services
- education and employment counselling
- youth and community work, including sports programmes
- case management, and
- telephone and/or online counselling
The Attorney-General's Department is compiling a Directory of Intervention Services to be used by governments to connect individuals in need with services and programmes unique to their circumstances that will help them turn away from a path to radicalisation. Names of groups and individuals on the Directory will be confidential. Information about the Directory and how to apply to be a service provider is available on the Attorney-General's website. Applications for the first assessment round are due by 5pm AEST on 2 March 2015 Grants are now available for organisations who have great ideas about a service or programme, but need assistance to build capability before applying to be part of the Directory. These grants are to help organisations: - design and develop new, innovative services
- build more sustainable capacity in existing services
- develop or enhance skills or expertise, or
- refocus existing services to address radicalisation.
The grants will help organisations get ready to deliver services like mentoring, counselling, education and employment services, and other diversionary programmes and the directory will assist with the actual delivery of the programmes and services. Information about the grants and how to apply is available on the Attorney-General's website or your can email LSTgrants@ag.gov.au. Applications for the grants are due by 5pm AEST 2 March 2015. For more information about Living Safe Together Programme, please visit www.livingsafetogether.gov.au or email us at livingsafetogether@ag.gov.au. | | | | | Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Services with special responsibility for multicultural affairs, Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells has encouraged everyone to embrace Harmony Day as the countdown begins with less than one month to go. 21 March marks the 15th anniversary of a special day in Australia's calendar - an occasion when the nation celebrates the richness of our cultural diversity and respect for each and every person who calls Australia home. "We are one of the most socially cohesive nations on earth and in 2015 we're very excited to reach an important milestone of 15 years of sharing the message that everyone belongs," Senator Fierravanti-Wells said. No event is too big or too small. Register your event at www.harmony.gov.au, and check the online calendar to find out what's happening near you. | | | | | THE Australian Government has appointed Mr Chris Manning as Commissioner with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB). Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss announced the three-year appointment this week, giving effect to one of the key responses to the Aviation Safety Regulation Review Report. "Mr Chris Manning’s appointment to the ATSB - Australia's independent national transport safety investigation agency - will commence on Monday 9 March 2015," Mr Truss said. "Mr Manning is well qualified for the position. He has extensive aviation operational and safety management experience, particularly in his former positions as Qantas Chief Pilot and Group General Manager of Flight Operations. The Aviation Safety Regulation Review Report recommended the appointment of an additional ATSB Commissioner with aviation expertise. | | | | | Planning Institute of Australia has released its full program for Planning Congress 2015 in Melbourne from May 13 to 15. This year's program features some of the greats of the planning profession - including Mitch Silver (New York), Rob Adams (Melbourne), Cheong Koon Hean (Singapore) and more - discussing topics as thought-provoking as they are relevant. There are three big days of presentations, break-out sessions, study tours. For ticket prices, or to register online, visit piacongress.com.au, email regoassist@planning.org.au or phone 02 6262 5933. Buy tickets by March 13 for a 10% 'Early bird' discount. | | | | | The Green Army reached a significant milestone this week with 100 projects on the ground around Australia. Across Australia there is already a great variety of projects underway, and more projects will continue to be rolled out with more than 350 new projects approved as part of Round 2 of the Green Army program. A number of successful projects will be sponsored by local councils. Applications are now also now open for Round 3 Green Army projects and community groups across the country can apply until 17 March 2015. Further information on the Green Army is available online. | | | | | The Assistant Minister for Social Services, Senator Mitch Fifield, announced the membership of the Aged Care Quality Advisory Council on Monday 23 February. The Advisory Council will provide advice to the Australian Government and the Aged Care Quality Agency on its functions and operations. As well as its essential focus on safety and compliance, the Advisory Council will also provide advice on how to broaden the quality agenda to incorporate consumer expectations in aged care services. Members of the Advisory Council: - Ms Andrea Coote (Chair)
- Ms Carol Bennett
- Dr Matthew Cullen
- Associate Professor Rosanna Capolingua
- Dr Stephen Judd
- Mr Paul Sadler
- Mr Ian Yates
- Ms Rae Lamb (ex officio)
| | | | | The National Local Government Drug and Alcohol Committee, a committee of the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors, has released updated research showing healthy growth in the Australian night time economy (NTE). The report highlights sales revenues in the night time economy has jumped by more than 13% in the reporting period, up from $90 billion in 2009 to $102 billion in 2013. Chair of the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors’ (CCCLM) and Lord Mayor of Adelaide, Martin Haese said that generating revenues on this scale was a great achievement for the NTE and an indicator of its value as an economic driver for the country. "Distributed over three categories (food, entertainment and drink led), our Night Time Mix Index shows growth across all categories in a range of cities who participated in the study," Martin said. "This tells us the NTE is a major employer across the country with just on one million people, or 8.5% of all the country’s employed, working in this area. While acknowledging the debate taking place on public health and safety aspects of night time activities, Mr Haese said the report underlined the positive impact night time activity makes to the national economy. The report is available here. Australian Local Government Areas included in this year's report are: Adelaide City Council, Brisbane City Council, Byron Shire Council, City of Darwin, Frankston City Council, City of Gold Coast, City of Greater Dandenong, Hobart City Council, Maroondah City Council, City of Melbourne, Newcastle City Council, Parramatta City Council, City of Perth, Port Phillip City Council and City of Sydney. | | | | | Minister for Social Services, the Hon. Scott Morrison released the final report of the McClure Review of Australia’s Welfare System - A New System for Better Employment and Social Outcomes, on 25 February. The review, commissioned in late 2013, concludes that Australia's social support system needs major reform. A key recommendation is for a major redesign of Australia's welfare payment structure to address the costly, confusing and inequitable elements of the current system. It found that changes to the system over time have led to unintended complexities, inconsistencies and incoherencies , which have created disincentives for some people to work. The report recommends a new social support system to improve employment and social outcomes, and has suggested an integrated approach which consists of four pillars of reform: - Simpler and sustainable income support system
- Strengthening individual and family capability
- Engaging with employers
- Building community capacity
There are currently around 20 different income support payment types and 55 supplementary payments. The many payments and supplements have resulted in a system that is difficult to understand, navigate and administer. The report recommends reducing these to five: Tiered Working Age Payment, Supported Living Pension, Child and Youth Payment, Carer Payment and the Age Pension. It suggests that each of the recommended payment types better reflects people’s circumstances, covers basic costs of living and supports those seeking employment. “The Government will consider the report’s recommendations and will make further decisions on these commencing with the 2015-16 Budget, and as part of a longer term vision of Australia's welfare system", Minister Morrison said. The report is available here. | | | | | Twenty-four young Australians, as well as four journalists, have been named finalists in the 2015 National Youth Awards. The National Youth Awards are an initiative of the Australian Government as part of National Youth Week. Winners will be announced in Brisbane on April 16. The finalists range in age from 12 to 25. They come from all corners of the country and have notched up achievements across the community - from school leadership roles in fighting racism, to overcoming homelessness and then helping others do the same. Senator the Hon Scott Ryan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education and Training, congratulated all the finalists. "What has shone through in all the finalists is their passion, commitment and dedication to their chosen pursuit," Senator Ryan said. "I commend all those who entered the 2015 National Youth Awards and congratulate the finalists across the seven categories." The awards will be presented as part of National Youth Week, which runs from April 10-19. Winners receive a $2000 cash prize. For more information on the National Youth Awards or National Youth Week, click here. | | |
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