Australian Local Government Association

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Contents

• President's report
• Chief Executive's report
• ALGA achievements
• Major events
• Directors of the Association
• Financial report

President's report

When I addressed the National General Assembly of Local Government in 2003, I identified two clear goals for the year ahead. First and foremost, we needed to push ahead with the campaign to eliminate cost shifting and secure a Fair Share of national taxation revenue. Secondly, we needed to get the Federal Government to renew the $1.2 billion Roads to Recovery program.

Some 12 months later, we have made very significant progress on cost shifting and - I'm delighted to say - won the campaign on Roads to Recovery, with a total of $1.35 billion now committed to the program for the coming four years.

The biggest single issue for local government at the national level is the reform of federal/local government financial relations. The case for reform is clear. For too long, we have been reliant of financial assistance grants that are not increasing in real terms. More importantly, when you take into account the dramatic increase in community demand for human services, cost shifting by state and federal governments and the escalating costs of providing services, federal funding is not only flat-lining, its leaving us further and further behind.

This is reflected in local government's diminishing share of national taxation revenue. Less than three per cent of taxation revenue is now collected by local government. Our single source of taxation revenue - rates - is subject to control - or the threat of control - by state governments and is politically sensitive. It is difficult to rely on rates as the sole source of taxation to meet the growing demands of modern local government administration.

Local government - as with the other two spheres of government - needs access to growth revenue - revenue that grows with the economy - revenue that provides a stable and sustainable basis to meet the service and infrastructure obligations of 21st century communities.

ALGA has been intensifying the push for a Fair Share of national taxation revenue.

We have argued it in our Budget submissions, in election policy documents, at meetings with federal politicians and at conferences and summits the length and breath of the nation.

There have been some important developments. The Fair Share tabled in November makes it clear that local government is short-changed and needs a better deal. Its very name - Rates and Taxes: A Fair Share for Responsible Local Government - reflects the goals of our campaign.

For local government, the inquiry that led to the report was an important achievement in itself. From its work and deliberations has come a much greater understanding of the problems confronting local government and the financial pressures we face. There are now a large number of federal parliamentarians who are knowledgeable about - and sympathetic to - our cause. They are also keen to see practical and enduring answers.

We have also been helped by the bipartisan support that has been given to the inquiry and its recommendations. This is a credit to the teamwork of the committee chairman, David Hawker MP, and the deputy chair, Anna Burke MP.

The report was - very appropriately, released during the National General Assembly of Local Government in Canberra. We were delighted that Mr Hawker addressed the Assembly after the report was tabled.

The Local Government and Planning Ministers Council discussed the report in February and resolved to hold a roundtable meeting with local government leaders to progress the recommendations. The roundtable was held in June and - despite a difficult start - came to an historic consensus on the way forward, focused on the development of a high level intergovernmental agreement between the three spheres of government.

While the Government and the Opposition are yet to formally respond to the report, both have indicated that they will issue policy statements during the course of the federal election which will clearly establish their positions.

For his part, the former Federal Minister for Local Government, Senator Ian Campbell, indicated to the Senate that he intended to implement the "biggest reform" to federal/local government financial relations since federation. No mean commitment.

There is clearly strong commitment on behalf of the Government and the Opposition to see this through. The task for local government will be, however, to ensure that as we move to address cost shifting, we also get the Australian Government to address the issue of quantum.

In modern political parlance, this may well be described as 'It's the size of the pie, stupid!' In summary, fiddling with FAGs is simply not enough.

Can a Fair Share of national taxation revenue be achieved over the coming two to three years? I believe it can. But we will need to build on the goodwill that exists in federal parliament to make it happen. And that means running a strong, grassroots campaign to keep the case before the backbench. As with our Roads to Recovery campaign, we need to turn the backbench into our greatest champions.

We also need to ensure that the issue of quantum remains firmly on the agenda as we move forward with discussions with the Australian Government on implementation of the key recommendations of the Fair Share report.

We have a window of opportunity - it will not be open long.

While we have made significant progress with cost shifting and general financing issues, the most spectacular and immediate wins have come with roads.

At ALGA's very successful National Local Roads Congress held in Kalgoorlie last year, we formally launched our campaign to secure renewal of the $1.2bn Roads to Recovery program, which was due to expire at the end of June 2005.

We fought hard to win Roads to Recovery. It was now time to fight hard to keep it. We did just that and, in January, the campaign paid off when the Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson and Ian Campbell announced that the program would be renewed for four more years. Another $1.2bn would be allocated directly to councils. But there was to be one potentially difficult change. One third of the funding allocated to councils was to be diverted to fund a 'strategic pool'. The pool would be available to groups of councils that would bid for regional road projects.

All up, this was a good outcome, particularly as it was clear that there was substantial opposition to renewal from the Canberra bean-counters.

Details then needed to be hammered out on how the strategic component - some $400m - would be allocated. Local government was consulted - but not engaged - in the decision making. ALGA and state association argued long and hard for regional - or at the very least - state based shares. The final decision was announced as part of the AusLink white paper in June.

Unfortunately, the decision called for central allocation. We didn't like the outcome and raised this directly with Senator Campbell. He pledged further consultation with local government. In July, at ALGA's Roads Congress at Tanunda, Senator Campbell indicated that he would accept state shares. However, the ground was to shift again in a dramatic way when it was announced during the early part of the 2004 Federal election, that a re-elected Coalition Government would scarp the required one-third contribution to fund the regional pool. Each council would get its full allocation. Instead, the regional pool would be funded through an additional allocation of $150m.

Total funding for the renewed program would be $1.35bn. A highly satisfactory outcome to a long and careful campaign. All councils, state associations deserve high praise for their part in the campaign. I also thank those many backbenchers who clearly understand the difference this program is making to the lives of Australians from our inner cities to our remote communities. It should be noted that the campaign has been so successful, other organisations have knocking at ALGA's door, asking for the campaign plans.

There have, of course, been other successful outcomes over the past 12 months.

During the course of the year, the ground work was set for some very successful outcomes that were secured during the Federal election campaign. While this is outside the scope of the Annual Report for 2003-04, election commitments worth some $250m to local government were secured from the Australian Government. In addition, local government could put projects forward for funding under new grant schemes, including a $1.6bn water fund and a $30m crime prevention program.

We went into bat for regional airports and asked the Federal Government to increase funding to help regional airport owners - which include a significant number of councils - meet the capital costs of new airport security arrangements. This they did, adding $21m in the Federal Budget to the initial allocation of $14m announced last December.

Regional development has also been a high priority, with ALGA promoting a ten point plan to improve outcomes for regional Australia. Additional funding has been secured for programs such as Regional Partnerships, natural resource management, regional arts, regional communications and broadband access and fuel excise reform. More work needs to be done, as the annual ALGA/National Economics State of the Regions report continues to show significant economic inequalities persisting across Australia's 64 regions.

One pleasing result of ALGA lobbying efforts has been a Coalition election commitment to allocate $15m to help rural councils that are forced to step in and purchase medical practices and accommodation, even entire hospitals, to keep or attract doctors to the bush. The recommendation was one of ten contained in a plan developed by ALGA, the Rural Doctors Association, the National Farmers Federation and rural and remote health consumers. While the sum is not large, it does represent recognition on the part of the Commonwealth that councils are picking up the tab for access to primary health care, which is not a local government responsibility and is, in essence, a cost-shift. It also demonstrates the importance of working in partnership with other organisations, something ALGA also successfully did with the Roads to Recovery campaign.

While ALGA has been on the front foot on many issues, we have been confronted during the year by a series of attacks on local government mounted by housing developers. Their political agenda is clear. They want to curtail the planning responsibilities of councillors and prevent councils charging public infrastructure levies on their housing estates. This is an industry pursuing a nakedly self-interested agenda that has been run under the cover of "housing affordability". While ALGA supports sensible planning reform that results in improved community outcomes, we will not stand back and allow these challenges go unanswered. Challenges to the planning role of councils emerged during the year through a model DA developed under the auspices of - but not endorsed by - the Development Assessment Forum, submissions to the Productivity Commission inquiry into affordable housing and in a research paper developed by a political party think tank. ALGA launched a campaign to defend the role of councillors in the planning process and the need for infrastructure charges.

The Productivity Commission's report, while recommending some reform, broadly endorsed council infrastructure charges and failed to back the call to restrict the role of councillors in the DA decision-making process. A further, more emphatic win came when the Coalition released its local government policy. This stated:

"The Coalition recognises that Development Assessment reform can only be developed and driven with the full support of local councils and local communities. The Coalition has been at the forefront of giving more decision-making powers to Local Government."

We now look forward to progressing sensible reform through the Development Assessment Forum that will not reduce the legitimate role councillors play in the planning process as democratically elected community representatives.

One significant development that has emerged in recent times is the increasing influence of local government at the national level. The influence of ALGA is growing. We have a strong and solid relationship with key members of the Government and the Opposition. We have solid links into the Canberra bureaucracy. We are, in short, well placed to progress our core agendas in the coming years. This will be important, as there is much at stake and much still to achieve.

This will be my last Annual Report. I step down as President having served local government at the national level for the past two years. I would like to thank the state local government associations and the ALGA leadership team for their support. I also thank individual councillors and mayors who have been so ready to lend their support to our core campaigns. Thank you also to ALGA's Chief Executive, Ian Chalmers, and his team. He leads a small but dedicated and skilled secretariat that works hard to advance the cause of local government and secure better outcomes for the communities we have the privilege to represent.

 

Councillor Mike Montgomery
President

Chief Executive's report

2003-04 has been a successful year for ALGA, securing significant wins for local government, strengthening our standing with both the Australian Government and the Opposition, and enhancing the capacity of the Secretariat to face future challenges.

Two very significant milestones were achieved during the year.

In November, the Fair Share Report on cost shifting and local government financing was tabled in Federal Parliament. The recommendations of this report, broadly endorsed by local government, hold much promise for Australian councils. In particular, there is now the prospect of an intergovernmental agreement that could significantly reduce the impact of cost shifting on local government and better define the financial relationship between the three spheres of government. Much of ALGA's work during the second part of the year focused on advancing the core recommendations of the report.

The most significant single win was secured on January 22 when the renewal of the Roads to Recovery program was announced by Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson and Local Government Minister, Senator Ian Campbell. This was an important milestone for local government which will add $1.2 billion to council revenues for local road maintenance projects. The campaign - undertaken by local government associations and individual councils across the country - was carefully targeted and coordinated, achieving its objective of working with Federal MPs and senators to show them the value and worth of the program within their own constituencies.

Other wins secured during the year, including additional funding for regional airport security, the Networking the Nation program and an ageing population program for local government, are set out in the ALGA Achievements section below and are covered in the President's Report above.

Much time and effort was spent during the year laying the foundations for these and future gains for local government through the development of a range of strategic documents and policies. These included our policy document for the federal election - the Blueprint for Building Better Communities. This document builds on earlier work by ALGA, including Federal Budget submissions lodged with the Treasurer over the past two or three years.

ALGA's policy capacity was enhanced during the year with the creation of four new positions. The appointments followed the departure of three skilled and experienced policy staff during the year to higher level positions in the Australian Government and international consultancy work. The new positions included Assistant Director Economics and Finance Policy, Assistant Director Regional Development Policy, Assistant Director Health and Ageing and Assistant Director Environment/National NRM Local Government Facilitator. The last two positions have been funded by the Australian Government through partnerships on natural resource management (Department of Environment and Heritage) and population ageing (Department of Health and Ageing). Both partnerships are developing well and enhancing the ability of local government to effectively engage in these issues and prepare for change at the local level.

A new position of Director of National Events and International Liaison was also created to ensure our two major annual events - the National General Assembly of Local Government and the National Local Roads and Transport Congress - can continue to grow and meet the expectations and needs of councils. Both the 2003 Roads Congress and General Assembly were well patronised, drawing record numbers of delegates. There were 467 attendees at the Kalgoorlie Roads Congress and nearly 780 at the General Assembly in Canberra. The task will be to maintain this momentum in future years.

The year was also successful in terms of building our partnerships with key government agencies and external bodies. Our sound working relationship with organisations such as the Department of Transport and Regional Services, made a significant contribution towards securing our core objectives for the year. Strong relationships with Emergency Management Australia (EMA) delivered $200,000 to projects managed through state and territory local government associations on key disaster and emergency management issues. A new partnership with the Australian Government has delivered $475,000 to develop and implement a National Local Government Ageing Action Plan. Through ALGA, the Australian Government has a better understanding - and recognises the importance - of increased local government involvement in natural resource management. The Australian Government has provided funding for eight local government NRM facilitators located at ALGA and each state and territory local government association. Partnerships with organisations such as the Australian Automobile Association, the National Farmers Federation and the Rural Doctors Association of Australia, have helped build support for core campaigns, such as the renewal of the Roads to Recovery program.

A major part of our work continues to be representation of local government on the Council of Australian Governments and 13 other ministerial councils. In supporting the President and other elected representatives, officers from the ALGA secretariat have attended all meetings of these councils and their standing committee of officials throughout the year. The work of these councils often happens away from the limelight, but is nonetheless of prime importance to local government. Extensive and important work was undertaken, for example, by AusLink working parties, the COAG National Water Initiative working groups and the NRM policy and programs committee.

Another pleasing feature for the past year has been the strong relationship that continues between member state and territory local government associations. ALGA has developed and maintained value-adding networks between association staff in core policy areas. Policy directors from ALGA and all state and territory associations meet regularly throughout the year to develop key policy responses to core ALGA priorities, including the development of a strategic approach the Fair Share report.

ALGA continued to be engaged in a range of national agendas that emerged during the year. In particular, ALGA responded to an unprecedented number of parliamentary and other inquires. The most important of these was the preliminary submission to the inquiry into cost shifting. A strong national approach between all associations resulted in clear and coherent advice to the ALGA Executive and all state and territory associations. This unity among associations has been instrumental in securing the support of the Local Government and Planning Ministers' Council for the developed of an intergovernmental agreement on cost shifting and intergovernment relations.

ALGA has again enjoyed a solid financial result for the year, reflecting careful cost control and strong revenue growth. This result, coupled with an enhanced policy capacity and a stronger standing with the Australian Government, positions ALGA to capitalise on the challenges and opportunities of the coming year.

 

Ian Chalmers
Chief Executive

ALGA achievements 2003-2004

Relationships with key political stakeholders

Overview

ALGA's has maintained a strong working relationship with key political stakeholders and is now well positioned in advance of the coming Federal election, expected to be held late in 2004.

Relations with the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads and the Minister for Environment and Heritage are particularly sound, as is the standing of local government with the Australian Government generally. Once again, during 2003-2004, the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and several other senior Ministers have attended and delivered presentations during ALGA's major conferences and events. Notably, the office of the Prime Minister advised (on 30 April 2004) the in-principle agreement of the PM to officially open the 2004 National General Assembly of Local Government on 8 November. 2004 will be the third consecutive year in which the Prime Minister has agreed to address this key ALGA event.

This relationship has not come at the expense of meaningful engagement with the Labor Party. ALGA's relationship with the Opposition is equally sound, with substantial and frequent liaison with key frontbenchers, including the Shadow Minister for Urban and Regional Development, Transport and Infrastructure and the Shadow Minister for Housing, Urban Development and Local Government. The current Leader of the Opposition, Mr Latham, addressed the National General Assembly of Local Government six days before his election to the leadership. A former mayor of Liverpool City Council, Mr Latham continues to emphasise and prioritise the important role of local government in the Australian Federation. The Labor Party conference recently enhanced its strong and favourable policy on local government when it adopted a revised party platform in January this year.

Regular communication with all MPs and Senators indicates continuing support and high regard for the work of ALGA and local government among Federal parliamentarians across all parties. The inquiry into cost shifting and local government financing was particularly successful in raising awareness among parliamentarians of the financial difficulties confronting local government and the need for lasting solutions.

National security

Counter terrorism

On 26 November 2003, the Prime Minister, during his closing address to the National General Assembly of Local Government, made the following announcement:

[Cr Montgomery] did raise with me by correspondence the fact that your association was willing to assist further on national security matters. And there are opportunities for the ALGA to work with the Federal Government. And, as a result of Cr Montgomery's approach, I've asked my department to chair a working group to include representatives of your association and other relevant government agencies to explore the ways in which the ALGA can contribute to the national counter-terrorism effort. The working group will report back to me on the areas we can best work closely together. And I suggest at this stage that we particularly focus on the strengths of local government in emergency management planning and critical infrastructure protection. Through working together on priorities and practical programs, such as the few I have mentioned, the Australian Government looks forward to continuing its very close co-operation with your association.

The high level meeting proposed by the Prime Minister was held in June 2004 in Canberra.

In October 2003, ALGA was invited to join the National Committee on Critical Infrastructure Protection. This committee co-ordinates cross jurisdictional CIP activity. Recognising the potential threat to iconic buildings, transport and community infrastructure, and large scale community events, local government has an important role in this forum.

ALGA also collaborated in development of the recently released National Transport Security Plan, through membership of the Standing Committee on Transport.

(Postscript: The Prime Minister announced in October 2004 that $33m would be allocated to enhance the emergency management capacity of local government.)

Emergency management

Following COAG endorsement of the report of the Review of Natural Disaster Mitigation in Australia (ALGA was a Review steering committee member) in early 2004, ALGA was invited to join the Augmented Australian Police Ministers Council, the Australian Emergency Management Committee and the subordinate Emergency Management Officers Working Group.

Through its representation on AEMC, ALGA recently successfully negotiated a 12 month extension for local government to develop and implement disaster mitigation plans, extending the deadline from December 2005 to December 2006. ALGA also called for additional funding to assist local government with its emergency management responsibilities. Additional funding of $68.5m over five years for disaster mitigation was announced in the 2003/04 Federal Budget.

ALGA secured in 2003, and continues to administer $220,000 for the Emergency Management Capability Development Project. Each of the state/territory local government associations - in conjunction with the relevant agency - are developing projects to further improve the capacity of local government to manage and respond to all hazards emergencies.

Community safety

Recognising the importance of ensuring the safety and security of community precincts, ALGA collaborated with the Australian Institute of Criminology in jointly convening a national Graffiti and Social Disorder Conference in Brisbane, 18-19 August 2003. Approximately 200 delegates attended this significant event. Addressing the conference, the President called for greater support for local government community safety work.

The Prime Minister announced funding of $20m during the first half of 2004 for community and local government crime prevention grants.

Finance and economics

Cost-shifting and local government financing

Achieving a better funding deal for local government is ALGA's primary goal. In 2001, ALGA was successful in gaining a commitment for a House of Representatives inquiry into cost shifting and local government financing during the lead up to the last election. During the inquiry, ALGA argued that cost shifting was a symptom of a broader funding problem facing local government and it needed, not just a means of preventing cost shifting, but access to a Fair Share of national taxation revenue. The arguments put forward by ALGA have been well reflected in the committee's report - Rates and Taxes: A Fair Share for Responsible Local Government - tabled in Federal Parliament in November 2003.

This landmark report has succeeded in drawing significant attention to the financial disadvantage faced by local government and has suggested a way forward that could place councils on a more secure financial footing. The report's recommendations were the focus of discussions at the February 2004 meeting of the Local Government and Planning Ministers' Council. Taking these issues forward, the Council has agreed to meet with ALGA and state local government association presidents at a roundtable to be held at Parliament House on 10 June 2004.

The Australian Government has indicated it will formally respond to the report around mid-year. It is hoped that a COAG summit will be convened during 2005 to progress the issue further. While achieving ALGA's goal for improved local government funding arrangements is a complex and difficult task, the past six months have seen steady progress. Importantly, the political climate at the federal level is good, with growing recognition of the financial challenges facing local government among the major parties. This has been well reflected in a series of local government features in the Australian Financial Review and the Business Review Weekly during April 2004.

Australia - United States Free Trade Agreement

During the domestic consultation process for the AUSFTA, ALGA was heavily involved in consultation with the negotiating team to ensure local government's views regarding any potential impacts were recognised and factored into bilateral bargaining. Our work entailed attending several consultation sessions with senior Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials, as well as providing a submission to (and appearing before) the Senate Inquiry into the General Agreement on Trade in Services and an Australia-US Free Trade Agreement. ALGA's standing was evidenced by a personal visit to ALGA by Australia's Chief Negotiator, Steve Deedy in August 2003 to discuss the concerns of local government. As a result of ALGA's efforts, local government was exempted from the relevant provisions of the Agreement. ALGA also presented a submission to, and appeared before, a Senate inquiry into free trade agreements.

Addressing the insurance crisis

ALGA has played an important role in representing local government concerns arising from the crisis in public liability insurance. Specifically, ALGA has been an active member of the Ministerial Forum on Insurance Issues since inception. The forum has implemented wide ranging legislative reforms to increase the availability and reduce the cost of public liability insurance.

In March 2004, the forum received the second insurance monitoring report, which reveraled that for public liability there had been a 4% increase in premiums in the first six months of 2003 and a decrease of 10% in average claim size. This compares with premium increases of 44% and increases in claims costs of 46% in 2002.

In supporting the work of the Ministerial Forum, ALGA is represented on the Heads of Treasury Insurance Issues Working Group. This work included collation of information from the state and territory associations and its presentation to both the ministerial council and the working group. ALGA is now liaising with the Community Care Underwriting Agency to promote the develop risk management skills and improved governance in local community organisations.

Transport

Renewal of Roads to Recovery - another $1.2bn for local government

The Australian Government's announcement in January 2004 of the renewal of the R2R program was a major achievement for ALGA and local government generally.

The new R2R program will provide $300m a year for four years from July 2005, with all funds going directly to local government. This result was well beyond most expectations, and was the culmination of a highly successful lobbying campaign aimed at engaging federal parliamentarians and making them champions of the Roads to Recovery program and the case for renewal.

The campaign was co-ordinated by ALGA and involved individual councils and state and territory local government associations, community groups and professional associations. Campaign activities included a parliamentary breakfast briefing for parliamentarians, lobbying of individual MPs and senators, the development of an ALGA Renew R2R campaign website and securing vocal support of key organisations such as the National Farmers Federation, the Australian Automobiles Association and the Rural Doctors Association.

ALGA is now negotiating with the Australian Government on the principles and procedures for implementing the new R2R program, and has argued for a decentralised model for allocation of the 'strategic' component of R2R funding.

(Postscript: The campaign was ultimately successful with the Australian Government announcing in September that the no core R2R funding would be used for the strategic component. Instead, an additional $150m would be made available for regional projects.)

Extra road funding for SA and NT

The Australian Government this year announced additional local road funding of $26.25m for local government in South Australia and $1m for the Northern Territory. This followed strong campaigns from the SA and NT local government associations, reinforced by ALGA in its R2R and AusLink negotiations. The discrepancy in NT funding for local roads in unincorporated areas had been a key finding of the 2003 review of the R2R program, conducted jointly by ALGA and the Department of Transport and Regional Services.

Additional funding for AusLink

ALGA argued strongly and consistently that AusLink could not be successfully implemented without additional funding. The AusLink white paper, released early June, said that $11.8 billion would be committed by the Australian Government to land transport over the next five years, of which $3.billion would be new funds.

Safer Roads project

ALGA is a foundation partner in the Safer Roads project, launched in March 2004, which encourages community understanding of, and engagement in, road safety. Joint promotion with alliance partners, the Australian Automobile Association, the Australasian College of Road Safety and the Australian Trucking Association, will enable a wide range of road safety information to be provided directly to local government. This is a good example of ALGA working with strategic partners to build greater community awareness about, and political support for, improved safety through road funding. The Safer Roads slogan is Safer drivers in safer vehicles on safer roads. The launch was attended by a large number of Federal Ministers, Shadow Ministers and key backbenchers.

Austroads, ALGA, IPWEA partnership agreement

This Agreement, signed at the 2003 National Local Roads Congress, is an important framework for the engagement of local government in the work of Austroads, and encourages council involvement in Austroads' strategic and technical projects. A strong Austroads priority is knowledge transfer to local government, and a key element in this is a revised and expanded publications program on strategic research and best-practice guidelines.

Some specific Austroads local government initiatives are:

• local government representatives on new policy and technical committees, including Austroads funding of their attendance costs
• city and regional workshops on Austroads guidelines and publications for local government professionals
• Austroads funding of $160,000 for a Road safety engineering toolkit on low cost road safety treatments, especially applicable to local roads
• a local government workshop at the 2004 Australian Bridge Conference

National Transport Commission MOU

The 2003 Memorandum of Understanding ensures local government is fully consulted on the introduction of relevant national heavy vehicle reforms. ALGA is co-ordinating local government involvement in the development of new performance based standards for heavy vehicles, especially in relation to route classification, noise monitoring and local community consultation.

Local road asset management project

ALGA is currently managing an $80,000 Networking the nation project to investigate the development of a national local roads database. The two-stage consultancy report is scheduled for completion in June 2004, and will be a valuable input to future asset management initiatives being undertaken by state associations and ALGA.

National Local Roads Congress

The Congress brings together stakeholders across the three spheres of government to discuss the key local road issues facing councils. It has grown in both stature and delegate numbers to be the premier local government roads event in Australia. There were 467 attendees at the 2003 Congress in Kalgoorlie, WA, with 97% of delegates rating the Congress as 'good' or better, in its relevance and meeting expectations. The July 2004 Congress in Tanunda, SA, has attracted very strong interest to date. The theme of Showcasing best practice, will feature a wide range of council presentations and be a key vehicle for disseminating information on the new R2R and AusLink programs.

Regional aviation services

ALGA's strong submissions to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Transport and Regional Services inquiry into regional aviation services appear to have positively influenced the Committee's Making ends meet report, which late last year recommended increased federal assistance for smaller regional airports.

Transport security

ALGA is the national contact point for liaison on implementation of new transport security initiatives. This has comprised:

• development of a National Transport Security Strategy
• new maritime security plans, introduced in August 2003
• expanded airport security measures announced in Dec 2003

ALGA Roads and Transport Advisory Committee

RTAC comprises the transport policy officers of all local government associations and is chaired by ALGA President, Cr Mike Montgomery. Established in 2003, RTAC has become a highly successful forum for debate and information sharing on a wide range of transport issues and is very valuable in providing co-ordinated and agreed transport advice to the ALGA Executive.

Environment

National Network of Natural Resource Management Facilitators

During the second half of 2003, ALGA successfully completed negotiations with the Australian Government for the provision of a network of Natural Resource Management Facilitators. The agreement provides $680,000 over three years to fund these positions at ALGA and state local government associations. Individual work programs are to be directly negotiated with each association.

National Packaging Covenant

Working collaboratively with LGAQ and MAV, ALGA obtained funding for the conduct of an Independent Local Government Evaluation of the National Packaging Covenant. The evaluation provides empirical evidence of a number of shortcomings of the current Covenant and will provide the basis for the establishment of a national local government negotiating position for the formal ministerial council review of the NPC.

Sustainable development

ALGA is playing an increasingly important role in the international movement for a more sustainable future. This follows our active participation at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development.

In September 2003, ALGA and the South Australian Minister for Environment and Conservation, Hon. John Hill, hosted a regional and local government partnerships workshop at the International Sustainability Conference in Perth. This workshop showcased best practice in regional and local government collaboration in regional sustainability strategies. The workshop reflected the 2002 Gauteng Declaration's call for collaboration between the two spheres of government in developing and implementing regional sustainability strategies and built on outcomes of the inaugural IULA-ASPAC regional conference on sustainability hosted by ALGA earlier in 2003.

ALGA also successfully secured membership of the official Australian delegation to the 12th conference of the United Nations' Commission on Sustainable Development, held in New York in late April 2004. ALGA participated in all Australian activities including presentations on Integrated Water Resource Management and Landcare.

ALGA will join state and territory planning ministers to co-host of the national Sustainable Cities Summit to be held in Canberra in June 2004.

Councils are playing a leading role in environmental issues and this is reflected in the close working relationship between ALGA and Federal Environment and Heritage Minister David Kemp.

National Water Initiative

ALGA has actively participated in all aspects of the COAG National Water Initiative. Following the COAG agreement to establish the NWI, ALGA was successfully negotiated representation on the COAG Senior Water Official Group (SWOG) responsible for the development of the NWI framework and Intergovernmental Agreement/s. In particular, ALGA secured specific reference, in the SWOG Terms of Reference, to the examination of the impact of the initiative on local government rates. All states and territories have been required to address this issue and develop a clear strategy to deal with the potentially significant consequences for local councils. All jurisdictions have reported on progress and assert that where there have been adverse impacts from the implementation of aspects of the NWI, state associations have been consulted.

NRM Ministerial Council

ALGA actively participated in the strategic planning sessions of the Natural Resource Management Minister Council's committee of officials to ensure that local government priorities were considered in the development of the Council's forward work plan. These include: local government involvement in regional NRM processes; consideration of a national framework to address incursions of exotic weeds and pests; water; and biodiversity.

Environment Protection and Heritage Ministerial Council

ALGA actively participated in Standing Committee of Officials strategic planning sessions to ensure that local government priorities were considered in the development of the forward workplan for the Ministerial Council. These include: consideration of local government concerns regarding waste management including the National Packaging Covenant; used tyres; plastic bags; electrical goods; air quality standards; water quality; and water reuse and efficiency.

Online Services

Local government framework for interoperability

ALGA and the Local Government Online Services Delivery Advisory Committee have been the driving force behind the development of a local government framework for interoperability over the past two years. The framework is now nearing completion and will help the three spheres of government interact and exchange information electronically, contributing to greater efficiency, improved service delivery, reduced duplication and significant savings for governments and the community. The framework consists of a local government information architecture, a catalogue of the core business processes of local government, a database of interoperability projects undertaken by local government, a mapping of the information flows between local government and federal agencies and a distributed architecture model for sharing data and information.

Strong partnerships

One of the most important outcomes of ALGA's online services activities has been the development of strong partnerships and relationships with organisations central to the nation's push towards effective e-government, including the Australian Government Information Management Office (formerly NOIE), the Integrated Transaction Reference Group and the Spatial Information Council. These partnerships have created a national environment that is fostering fast and effective development of local government ITC capability.

Projects of national significance

ALGA has supervised the roll out of a $1.5m projects of national significance program, funded through the Networking the Nation program. Funded projects include:

• Directional Roadmap - providing guidance to local government over how to maximise the benefits from using ICT over the next five to 10 years.
• Development Application Interface project - sharing land sub-division application data automatically between councils and the South Australian Government.
• Shared Services project - a joint project between MAV and LGAQ to pilot an asset management system in Queensland based on the business process approach developed by MAV.

National Service Improvement Framework

The ALGA Online Services Team has made a significant contribution to the development of the National Service Improvement Framework (NSIF), now been endorsed by the nation's peak ITC forum, the Online Council. The NSIF includes a series of reusable 'agreements' between Federal, state, and local government that facilitates collaboration between individual agencies to improve service delivery. The NSIF will be supported by a project office to be established in the second half of 2004. This project office will help identify opportunities for cross-jurisdictional projects and act in an 'honest broker' role. The NSIF will greatly assist local government in being an equal and valued participant in undertaking cross-jurisdictional 'joined up' government projects. As part of the development of the NSIF ALGA has been helping to coordinate a pilot project with WALGA, and Centrelink to 'test' the framework and evaluate the business case for signing whole of local government agreements with federal government agencies.

Toolkits to assist local government ICT staff

The first of three modules of the Connecting Local Government Toolkit is almost complete. This module is the spatial information management toolkit and will help local government improve its use of spatial information and assist them in providing improved and more efficient services. The toolkit was develop in partnership with the Spatial Information Council and was work-shopped with a local government reference group in four states.

'Community of practice' website for local government ICT staff

ALGA's 'Connect' website has been upgraded and is now providing important services to local government. It includes an ICT helpdesk, information, roadmaps, and Special Interest Groups (SIGs) that are useful in assisting local government IT managers with the latest in ICT developments.

Regional development

Stronger advocacy role

ALGA has continued to build its role as an advocate for regional development. During 2003/04, ALGA has identified ten key areas for action to promote regional growth (see SMH article). These include reform of local government finances, access to financial institutions, improving communications, boosting transport and transport funding and creating the right environment and incentives for business development. Clear articulation of the issues and continued lobbying has helped focus advocacy by local government and other organisations.

A number of significant developments have occurred during 2003/04 to assist regional development in line with ALGA policy, including the announcement of additional funding for regional tourism, additional transport funding and telecommunications initiatives. Seen as both a key stakeholder in, and authority on, issues associated with regional development, ALGA is regularly invited to join relevant committees and policy forums and to participate in regional development workshops around Australia. For example, ALGA has recently been invited to join a National Council for Vocational Education and Research Assessment Panel to evaluate new research proposals on the role of VET in local and regional communities and has been invited to participate in a workshop on 5-6 May in Toowoomba convened by the University of Queensland's Centre for Rural and Regional Innovation.

Regional development co-operative framework

In August, at a Regional Development Council meeting in Canberra ALGA, federal, state and territory regional development ministers agreed to a Framework for Co-operation under which all spheres of government agreed to share information, reduce duplication and improve co-ordination of regional planning activities in order to better promote social and economic development of Australia's regions.

Regional Cooperation and Development Forum

ALGA's Regional Cooperation and Development Forum, held each year in November, continues to foster new thinking and fresh debate on current issues associated with regional development. In addition to featuring a number of keynote speakers, the Forum offers a launching pad for ALGA's flagship research publication, the annual State of the Regions Report. The 2003 Forum focused on demographic change and the impact on Australia's regions of an ageing population, attracting extensive publicity and generating interest from all three spheres of government.

State of the Regions Report

The State of the Regions Report continues to grow in influence and importance, enhancing ALGA's position as an important advocate for regional development. The 2003/04 Report attracted significant media attention across the country and has now become established as the leading independent source of comparative data and analysis on the economic and social performance of Australia's regions. The 2003/04 Report had a strong focus on the impact of an ageing population, an issue of increasing concern to local government across the country. The forthcoming report, currently under preparation and due for release on 7 November 2004, focuses on regional infrastructure needs.

Telecommunications infrastructure

ALGA has joined a working committee established by the Australian Communications Industry Forum (ACIF) tasked with further refining the 'Deployment of Radiocommunications Infrastructure Industry Code'. The committee comprises local government, community, Australian Communications Authority and mobile carrier representation. The code sets standards for the deplyment by carriers of radiocommunications infrastructure, such as mobile telephone towers, and details local government and community consultation processes.

COAG National bushfire inquiry

ALGA was consulted extensively during the COAG National Inquiry on Bushfire Mitigation and Management with the final draft report acknowledging the vital role played by local government in risk management through effective land use planning and design; readiness through community awareness; and recovery efforts after a bushfire. The draft report, which will go to COAG for consideration, notes that local government faces significant challenges in these areas, as it is significantly under-resourced and therefore unable to fully meet a vast range of responsibilities related to bushfire mitigation and management.

National drought policy review

ALGA's 2003-04 Budget Submission sought "urgent investigation of a Drought Relief Employment Program to provide assistance to communities that are now feeling the full impact of drought induced unemployment, particularly in rural and production zone regions." The report of the Drought Review Panel, released in April, reflected ALGA's concerns with a proposal that the Australian and State/Territory Governments consider the case for an assistance package for rural workers to retain their skills in rural communities during a drought.

Skilled practitioner's guide

ALGA represents local government on a number of working groups reporting to the Standing Committee on Regional Development (SCORD), an officials group, on which ALGA is also a member, reporting to the ministerial council of regional development ministers - the Regional Development Council (RDC), of which ALGA is a full member. Through the Attraction and Retention Working Group, ALGA was an active participant in the development of a Practitioners Guide for Attracting and Retaining Skilled People in Regional Australia. The guide, released in April, highlights numerous case studies of successful strategies employed across Australia and demonstrates how a co-ordinated approach by all three spheres of government, working with the wider community, is the best foundation for success. It will be an invaluable resource for local councils in regional areas.

Investment and trade in regional Australia

Formally administered by the Department of Transport and Regional Services, ALGA was recently contracted to oversee the roll out of the 'Investment and Trade in Regional Australia' policy package. The remaining components of the package include the development of online training and education modules to raise the export potential of regional businesses and the development of a pilot business mentoring project in regional Australia.

Regionalism research project

ALGA has joined a team of academics as a 'partner investigator' seeking Australian Research Council funding for a major research project on the role of regionalism in Australian political culture. The project is titled Towards sustainable regional institutions: The Roles of regionalism in Australian political culture and its implications for regional institutional design. If successful, funding of more than $300,000 is anticipated over 2005-07.

Housing/Planning

Housing Ministers conference

During 2003, ALGA Executive resolved to seek membership of the council of federal, state and territory ministers responsible for housing matters - the Housing Ministers' Conference. As a result of representations, ALGA was invited to join HMC as an observer member in late 2003. This brings to 13 the number of ministerial councils on which ALGA is represented, including full membership of the Council of Australian Governments.

Productivity Commission inquiry into housing affordability

ALGA lodged a submission with the Productivity Commission, on its inqury into housing affordability, defending local government against attacks from developers and industry groups. The Commission's interim report, released in December, supported many of the arguments advanced by ALGA and other state local government associations. ALGA President, Cr Montgomery, has actively defended the role of councils and councillors in the planning process in light of a sustained campaign by industry groups.

Social Policy

Department of Health and Ageing/ALGA Partnership

In November, the Federal Minister for Ageing, Julie Bishop, announced the establishment of a partnership between her department and ALGA to help local councils meet the specific challenges of an ageing population. The partnership will expand local government's capacity to identify and plan for population ageing and funds a full time policy officer within the ALGA secretariat.

Local Government Population and Ageing project

The project is developing a strategic action plan for local government to improve understanding of the opportunities and challenges of an ageing population and identify and facilitate the sharing of leading practice in local government planning and service delivery to meet the needs of older persons. The project commenced in November 2003 with an initial focus on activities at the 2003 National General Assembly of Local Government. From December to March 2004, consultation was undertaken across local government. Wide ranging views, suggestions, information and opinions have been gathered, as well as formal research data. On 12 March, ALGA released a discussion paper - An older Australia: Identifying areas for local government action - to encourage debate and provide an opportunity for local government to set the priorities for the development of an action plan. The paper provides information and data on issues of importance to local government in relation to population ageing. To provoke discussion, councils were asked about how local government might respond to demographic change, identify opportunities and challenges and deliver the results. Submissions were due by 16 April. ALGA's website and weekly electronic newsletter, ALGA News, have also been used to inform local government about the project, best practice information and ageing research tools.

National Public Health Partnership

In 2003, ALGA was invited to join the National Public Health Partnership. The Australian Health Ministers' Conference agreed on 31 July 2003 that ALGA be included as a full member of the NPHP and that the memorandum of understanding (MoU) relating to the NPHP and signed by all health ministers, be amended to give effect to this decision. ALGA provides representation and acts as the responsible agency for specific work program areas as agreed.

Addressing Regional Doctor Shortages

Since early 2003, ALGA has focussed on the implications for communities of regional doctor shortages, including addresses by the President to a number of important conferences and workshops. As a result of meetings with the Rural Doctors Association of Australia and the National Farmers Federation, a collaborative policy document was developed and subsequently endorsed by the three organisations together with the Country Women's Association of Australia and the Association of Health Consumers of Rural and Remote Australia.

The document puts forward a ten point plan to address shortages of health care professionals. The plan, launched in March2004, drew considerable media attention and a pledge from the Deputy Prime Minister (who presided over the launch of the document) to assess ALGA's call for funding assistance for councils that need to allocate scarce funding to attract and retain health professionals in their communities. The plan has also drawn praise from health professionals and researchers.

Inquiry into workforce issues

On 25 June 2004, the Council of Australian Governments agreed to consider health workforce issues over the next 10 years in relation to the supply of and demands for health services. The paper will take a broad, whole-of-government perspective, including health and education considerations, and will cover the full range of health workforce professionals. In considering these issues, the paper will look at the particular health workforce needs of rural areas. It was also agreed that the paper will address the issue of general practitioners in or near hospitals on weekends and after hours. This paper will be considered by COAG within 12 months.

Child care funding review

During the second half of 2003, ALGA lobbied the Federal Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Larry Anthony, to raise concerns about possible adverse outcomes for local government from a review of child care support funding arrangements. ALGA secured a commitment form the Minister to further consult local government and a roundtable was convened by ALGA with federal government and local government representatives. In December 2003, the Minister moved to alleviate widespread concerns with an assurance that operational funding for family day care would remain in a redeveloped child care support 'broadband'.

Citizenship campaign, revised ceremony handbook

In August, ALGA President Cr Montgomery and Citizenship Minister, Gary Hardgrave, jointly launched a campaign to encourage eligible permanent residents to become Australian citizens. They also launch a revised code for the conduct of citizenship ceremonies. ALGA was consulted in the development of the revised code. It details legal and other requirements for the conduct of these ceremonies (including suggestions for incorporating Indigenous elements) and provides a range of ideas to help ensure that ceremonies are meaningful and memorable celebratory events.

ALGA met with the Minister in July 2003 to discuss concerns that he intended to allow community groups, such as Lions Clubs and Boy Scouts, to conduct an increasing number of citizenship ceremonies. The Minister subsequently confirmed the importance of local government ceremonies and that they would remain the prime venue for citizenship ceremonies.

Promoting public libraries

Local government owns more than 500 public libraries, making the sector the largest operator of these important community facilities. In mid 2003, ALGA was asked to support the establishment of Public Libraries Australia. This alliance is strengthening political awareness of the importance of local public libraries. ALGA is represented on the Board of Public Libraries Australia.

Extending ALGA's influence

Other committees ALGA has been invited to join during 2003-04 include:

Great Artesian Basin Coordinating Committee

ALGA President, Cr Mike Montgomery, invited to represent local government at the inaugural meeting on 25-26 May 2004.

Overseas Doctors Taskforce Reference Committee

High level advisory group for the Australian Government's MedicarePlus initiative to recruit additional overseas doctors for work in areas of workforce shortage. ALGA invited to join April 2004.

Medical Rural Bonded Scholarship Support Pilot

Inaugural meeting, 18 November 2003. ALGA invited to join management group convened by the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine.

Australian Communications Industry Forum

March 2004. ALGA asked to join Australian Communications Industry Forum infrastructure code working committee tasked with amending the 'Deployment of Radiocommunications Infrastructure Industry Code'.

Major events 2003-04

July

• Record numbers attend ALGA's 4th National Local Roads Congress in Kalgoorlie, WA (460 delegates).
• ALGA kicks off Renew Roads to Recovery campaign in Kalgoorlie. Campaign website launched.
• ALP says it has 'open mind' on renewal of Roads to Recovery program.
• Cost shifting inquiry concludes public hearings.
• ALGA attends inaugural Local Government and Planning Ministers' Council meeting in Darwin as a full member, supports summit on sustainable cities and towns.
• Australian Government agrees to ALGA request for four year extension of environmental resource officer program.
• ALGA holds policy discussions with National Farmers Federation with a view to conduct joint lobbying exercises on roads, health care.

August

• ALGA addresses national homeland security conference and calls on Australian Government to help increase councils' emergency management capacity. PM agrees to examine this in context of his government's response to threat of terrorism.
• ALGA attends Regional Development Ministerial Council, which agrees on a cooperative approach.
• ALGA presses case for reform of Commonwealth/local government financial relations in meeting with Canberra's most senior bureaucrat, the newly appointed Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Dr Peter Shergold.
• Speculation of an early retirement for Deputy Prime Minister, John Anderson, grows in Canberra.
• Treasurer Peter Costello announces Productivity Commission inquiry into home ownership, to include local government issues of planning controls and infrastructure charges.
• ALGA and state associations secure a further $360,000 for local government under the Networking the Nation program to fund four interoperability projects.
• Local government had moved from a spasmodic, ad hoc approach to a comprehensive, multi-faceted and long-term commitment to dealing with issues of public safety, ALGA President, Mike Montgomery, told a Graffiti and Disorder conference in Queensalnd, jointly hosted by ALGA and the Australian Institute of Criminology. President makes case for further federal funding to enhance council capacity to respond to community need.
• ALGA presses case for structural adjustment funding to assist communities that will be adversely affected by national water reforms at meeting of Council of Australian Governments.

September

• ALGA joins Australian Automobile Association, Australian Trucking Association and Australasian College of Road Safety in a road safety initiative focussed on safer drivers in safer cars on safer roads. Augments ALGA's campaign to renew the Roads to Recovery program.
• ALGA breathes sigh of relief as Deputy PM John Anderson announces intention to stay on in federal parliament, continuing work on transport agenda, including the future of the Roads to Recovery program.
• ALGA lobbies Youth Minister Larry Anthony on council concerns over future funding for family day care centres.

October

• Ministerial reshuffle - Tuckey replaced by WA Senator Ian Campbell who becomes Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads, but Anderson retains overall responsibility for transport policy.
• ALGA meets Campbell, get off to solid start on key issues - renewal of Roads to Recovery and addressing cost shifting and reform of federal/local government financial relations.
• ALGA lodges submission to Productivity Commission inquiry into first home ownership, defending role of local government.
• ALGA slams Housing Industry Association call to scrap developer charges.
• ALGA convenes roundtable on family day care funding.

November

• ALGA joins National Public Health Partnership, bringing together for the first time the three spheres of government to work cooperatively on public health issues.
• ALGA-sponsored study commences to map interoperability projects.
• Review of National Packaging Covenant gets underway.
• ALGA welcomes Australian Government's tourism white paper, with additional $235m over four years.
• ALGA applauds new measures to increase regional medical and nursing workforce, announced as part of the Medicare Plus package.
• National General Assembly of Local Government attracts 750 delegates to Canberra as the long awaited Fair Share report on cost shifting and local government financing is tabled in federal parliament. Inquiry Chairman David Hawker, tables report and addresses the General Assembly. The Assembly backs the main thrust of the report.
• ALGA/National Economics State of the Regions report focuses on impact of an ageing population on local government.
• ALGA and Ageing Minister Julie Bishop form partnership on ageing issues and demographic change.
• In his first major speech on local government issues, Ian Campbell tells the General Assembly he is a 'strong advocate' for Roads to Recovery.

December

• ALGA calls on Australian Government to fully fund new regional airport security requirements after it offers to cover just half the costs.
• Environment Minister David Kemp announces $1m for local government 'water watch' campaign.
• Youth Minister Larry Anthony issues assurances on family day care funding.
• Former Liverpool mayor Mark Latham elected Labor Leader six days after addressing General Assembly of Local Government.
• NFF joins ALGA to lobby for renewal of Roads to Recovery.
• Latham announces new shadow ministry - Ferguson keeps infrastructure and transport, Darryl Melham replaces Gavan O'Connor in local government and housing portfolio.
• ALGA secures representation on Australian housing ministerial council.
• Productivity Commission's interim report on first home ownership finds infrastructure charges justified.

January

• ALGA pursues Commonwealth Heads of Government decision on constitutional recognition of local government.
• ALGA seeks support of 12 major community and professional associations for the campaign to renew Roads to Recovery.
• Labor annual conference picks up ALGA's call for stronger federal-local government partnerships as it revises the party platform.
• ALGA backs aspects of rural banking report, calls for examination of US, UK laws that require financial institutions to widen access to capital and other financial services in disadvantaged regions.
• Campaign success! Anderson/Campbell announce Roads to Recovery program will be renewed with a further $1.2bn to be allocated over a further four years. However, one third of the amount allocated to councils would be diverted to fund a $400m 'strategic component' for local roads of regional significance.
• Labor announces it will also have an 'R2R-style program'.

February

• ALGA mounts campaign against plans to curb council planning functions.
• ALGA, state associations work up joint position on allocation of strategic component of Roads to Recovery program.
• Productivity Commission to review building regulation - ALGA prepares submission.
• Fair Share report passes first hurdle - Local Government and Planning Ministers meet in Perth and decide to hold a roundtable on cost shifting with local government leaders. They also decide to put controversial model DA out for consultation.
• ALGA launches local government ageing project website.
• ALGA President calls for 10-point plan to boost regional development.
• Ministerial Forum on Insurance Issues meets (comprises state, territory and federal finance ministers and ALGA). Hears good news on insurance premiums as dramatic increases experienced in recent years begin to subside.
• ALGA President uses National Roads Summit to call for sustainable urban transport issues to be on national agenda.

March

• Australian Government commences consultations with ALGA and state associations on the way in which the strategic component of the renewed Roads to Recovery program will operate. ALGA sets up dedicated website to keep councils informed of progress.
• ALGA successfully negotiates a 12 month extension for local government to develop and implement disaster mitigation plans - deadline extended to end of 2006.
• ALGA lodges response to the Fair Share report with Local Government Minister, Ian Campbell.
• Report commissioned by ALGA, LGAQ and NSW LGSA highlights shortcomings of the National Packaging Covenant.
• ALGA calls on regional development ministers to work together after political row forces cancellation of ministerial council in Wollongong.
• ALGA releases discussion paper on how local government might best respond to the challenges and opportunities of an ageing population.
• ALGA, state associations press Australian Government for regional allocations for strategic component of renewed Roads to Recovery program.
• ALGA launches online discussion forum on ageing issues.
• ALGA joins rural doctors, farmers and health consumers to launch plan to improve access to health care in regional areas. Deputy Prime Minister undertakes to examine call for funding pool for councils forced to purchase surgeries and accommodation to retain/recruit doctors.
• ALGA welcomes Prime Minister's funding package to address local road funding shortfall in South Australia.

April

• ALGA meets Local Government Minister Ian Campbell and his Opposition counterpart, Daryl Melham, to lobby on road funding, planning and cost shifting.
• Campbell announces $45m disaster mitigation funding program.
• ALGA, state and federal governments launch regional skills guide.
• ALGA joins review of telecommunications infrastructure code.
• Campbell backs case for better funding deal for local government
• ALGA presses case for drought relief employment measures
• ALGA urges councils to speak out on controversial development assessment model - national consultations underway.

May

• PM announces new community crime prevention funding, accessible by councils, reflecting ALGA's call for further funding to assit councils with public safety initiatives
• Federal Budget:
  • confirms $1.2 bn allocation to renewed Roads to Recovery program, additional funding of $1.1bn for AusLink and $810m for regional trasnport projects.
  • confirms allocation of $100m to the Roads to Recovery program that had been 're-phased' from the 2002-03 Budget.
  • allocates a further $21m for regional airport security on top of $14m announced by the Government in December. ALGA lobbied for increased funding - initial announcement was to only cover half the capital cost of additional security requirements.
  • additional $77m for Regional Partnerships program.
  • further $150m for child care places, including family day care places.
  • additional funding for Landcare program, Envirofund grants and greenhouse programs. $14m to support local governmnet/communities reduce greenhouse emissions.
  • new funding for regional migration, regional arts and rural health care.
• ALGA's campaign to protect local government's planning functions continues as public consultation starts on model DA.
• ALGA rasies concerns with Australian Government over impact on local government PPP arrangements of proposed tax legislation.

June

• Campbell tells Senate he is planning 'biggest reform' to federal- local government relations since federation in wake of Fair Share report
• ALGA co-hosts national summit on the future of Australian cities and towns. ALGA President calls for 6-point strategy for sustainable cities.
• AusLink white paper released - key ALGA objectives achieved, but concerns grow over planned central allocation of 'strategic component' of renewed Roads to Recovery program, despite local government objections. ALGA lobbies Campbell who agrees to further talks.
• ALGA and state associations participate in Fair Share roundtable with federal, state and territory ministers. Historic consensus achieved on need to address cost shifting. ALGA President says 'We can no longer do business as usual'.
• ALGA, state associations hold roundtable talks with Campbell on a range of issues including cost shifting, road funding and planning.
• ALGA holds talks with ALP on AusLink and Roads to Recovery.
• Australian Government releases energy white paper - addresses many recommendations made by ALGA in submission on fuel tax. PM says state and local government 'the big winners'.
• Australian Government announced 'solar city' trials. Councils eligible to bid for grants totalling $75m for alternative energy trials.
• Australian Government announces further consultation on draft tax legislation following local government concerns that it will jeopardise viability of PPP arrangements.
• Productivity Commission report on housing affordability fails to back the developers/housing industry agenda to attack council planning functions. Commission also backs councils' right to levy infrastructure charges. Report finds that local government was not a major driver of the dramatic increases in house prices.
• ALGA President showcases role of councils at affordable housing summit in Canberra and rebuts housing industry attacks on local government.
• ALGA attends COAG meeting in Canberra. President successfully presses case for community-based structural adjustment arrangements to help communities that will be adversely affected by introduction of water markets.
• ALGA presses case for federal financial assistance to help improve the emergency management capacity of local government.
• ALGA welcomes new Productivity Commission study on impact of ageing population on all spheres of government.
• ALGA writes to Campbell detailing concerns on proposals to centrally allocate strategic component of the renewed Roads to Recovery program.
• ALGA prepares for record attendance at National Local Roads Congress to be held in early July in South Australia.

Directors of the Association 2003-04

The names and particulars of the directors of the Company in office at any time during or since the end of the financial year are:

President

Cr Mike Montgomery

Past President - Shires Association of New South Wales
(Director since 31 May 2002)

Senior Vice President

Cr Brad Matheson

Past President - Municipal Association of Victoria
(Director from 4 April 1997 to 25 June 2004)

Junior Vice President

Cr Paul Bell

Acting President - Local Government Association of Queensland
(Director since 5 September 2000)

Directors

Cr Max Amber

Past President - Local Government Association of South Australia
(Director since 22 October 2002)

Cr Ann Bennison

Vice President - Local Government Association of Queensland
(Director since 17 May 2004)

Ald Cecil Black

Past President - Local Government Association of the Northern Territory
(Director from 6 November 2002 to 7 June 2004)

Mr Simon Corbell MLA

Member - ACT Legislative Assembly (Director since 28 November 2001)

Cr Gibson Farmer

Vice President - Local Government Association of the Northern Territory
(Director since 6 November 2002)

Mayor Brian Hurn

Past President - Local Government Association of South Australia
(Director from 6 November 2002 to 26 November 2003)

Mayor Frances Kligariff

President - Local Government Association of the Northern Territory
(Director since 7 June 2004)

Cr Robert Legge

Vice President - Local Government Association of Tasmania
(Director since 31 May 2002)

Cr John Legoe

President - Local Government Association of South Australia
(Director since 26 November 2003)

Cr Lynn Mason

President - Local Government Association of Tasmania
(Director since 12 June 2000)

Cr Bill Mitchell

Deputy President - Western Australia Local Government Association
(Director since 6 November 2002)

Cr Dr Sara Murray

President - Local Government Association of New South Wales
(Director since 7 May 2004)

Mayor Rae Perry

Councillor - Municipal Association of Victoria
(Director since 6 November 2002)

Cr Noel Playford

Past President - Local Government Association of Queensland
(Director from 12 June 2000 to 17 May 2004)

Cr Clive Robartson

President - Western Australian Local Government Association
(Director since 6 December 2000)

Mr Bill Wood MLA

Member - ACT Legislative Assembly (Director since 28 November 2001)

Cr Peter Woods

Past President - Local Government Association of New South Wales
(Director from 14 November 1991 to 7 May 2004)

Alternate Directors

Mr Gordon Davidson

ACT Government
(Alternate Director for Mr Bill Wood since 26 February 2004)

Ms Sue Ross

ACT Government
(Alternate Director for Mr Simon Corbell since 26 February 2004)

Statement of financial position

Statement of financial position as at 30 June 2004