Vice President's column
The Federal Treasurer, the Hon Scott Morrison MP, handed down the 2017-18 budget this week, and it was a good result for local government.
Firstly, the Government delivered on its promise to resume indexation to Financial Assistance Grants (FAGs), which will return from 1 July 2017.
This follows a hard-fought campaign by the sector since the introduction of the freeze in 2014-15. Motions were raised, resolutions were passed, meetings were had, and hundreds of emails were sent fighting for our case - particularly with local Federal MPs.
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Councils win as Financial Assistance Grants indexation restored in Federal budget
Councils have applauded the Australian Government's announcement in this week's budget to restore indexation to Financial Assistance Grants (FAGs) from 1 July 2017 as promised following a tough three-year freeze.
According to the Government's own estimates, its 2014 budget move to freeze indexation to FAGs cost local communities more than $600 million worth of services and infrastructure over the three years, with the biggest impact felt by councils in regional and remote Australia.
Federal budget outcomes for regional Australia
On Tuesday, the Australian Government released the Regional Ministerial Budget Statement Regional Australia - Driving Our Economy 2017 18.
The statement outlines over 450 budget measures for regional Australia across health, education, employment, defence, infrastructure, telecommunications, agriculture and water resources and other portfolios.
Some of the measures include:
- an additional $200 million provided to the Building Better Regions Fund to support the construction of community infrastructure and build the capacity of regional areas
Latest News
Mobile phone use to be targeted in road safety research
The Australian Government has announced drug testing and mobile phone distraction research, with the aim of improving understanding of the impact of these two factors on road safety
Applications open for Threatened Species Recovery Fund
Community organisations across Australia are encouraged to apply for funding under the Government's Threatened Species Recovery Fund to help fight extinction. Through the Threatened Species Strategy
Regional and remote arts touring projects receive more than $2m
The Australia Council for the Arts has announced more than $2.8 million for three arts touring programs with a significant focus on touring in regional and remote areas
Commencement of emergency management volunteer scholarship program
Across Australia, there are more than six million volunteers that give up their time every year to help their communities. To recognise the complex service they deliver and the high-level skills and leadership required
Final report into Data Availability and Use tabled
The Australian Government this week tabled the Productivity Commission's final report into Data Availability and Use. The report stresses the benefits of open data and says that
The move Towards Zero
Reducing deaths and serious injuries on Australasian roads is a priority for the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety and the National Road Safety Strategy.
Mobile phone use to be targeted in road safety research
The Australian Government has announced drug testing and mobile phone distraction research, with the aim of improving understanding of the impact of these two factors on road safety
Applications open for Threatened Species Recovery Fund
Community organisations across Australia are encouraged to apply for funding under the Government's Threatened Species Recovery Fund to help fight extinction. Through the Threatened Species Strategy
Regional and remote arts touring projects receive more than $2m
The Australia Council for the Arts has announced more than $2.8 million for three arts touring programs with a significant focus on touring in regional and remote areas
Commencement of emergency management volunteer scholarship program
Across Australia, there are more than six million volunteers that give up their time every year to help their communities. To recognise the complex service they deliver and the high-level skills and leadership required
Final report into Data Availability and Use tabled
The Australian Government this week tabled the Productivity Commission's final report into Data Availability and Use. The report stresses the benefits of open data and says that
The move Towards Zero
Reducing deaths and serious injuries on Australasian roads is a priority for the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety and the National Road Safety Strategy.
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