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Parliamentary recognition of local government

Parliament House

The campaign for constitutional recognition of local government has moved a step closer with the resolution to be debated shortly in Federal Parliament. ALGA has written to MPs and senators seeking their support for the motion recognising local government and acknowleging the role it plays within our federal system of governance. ALGA was pleased at the bipartisan approach taken by the House of Representatives inquiry into 'Local government and cost shifting.' Parliamentary recognition of local government was one of a series of important recommendations contained in the Fair Share report produced by the inquiry chaired by David Hawker MP and Anna Burke MP as the Deputy Chair. Copies of the information can be downloaded (PDF 23 kb) by councils to support their own advocacy with federal representatives.

Housing affordability may be on COAG agenda

Housing affordability is expected to be included on the agenda at the Council of Australian Governments meeting in Canberra later this year. Prime Minister John Howard has blamed state governments for making home ownership a 'diminishing dream' for young Australians. Mr Howard told the Labor state governments to stop bowing to pressure from environmental groups and make land available for new housing. He said the cost of land in Sydney had risen 700 per cent between 1973 and 2003 and was the main reason first-home buyers found prices unaffordable, not the recent jump in interest rates. He said while the cost of land had risen sevenfold between 1973 and 2003, the increase in the housing component of a house-land package in that period was only four per cent.

Opposition treasury spokesman Wayne Swan accused Mr Howard of trying to shift the blame. "John Howard can't blame the states for the three interest rate increases since the election, the election where he promised to keep interest rates at record lows," Mr Swan said. "So let's forget the blame shifting. What we want to see from this prime minister is some responsibility - some responsibility by putting forward a plan to put downward pressure on interest rates and downward pressure on inflation."

The latest ABS House Price Index figures show that in the June quarter prices have jumped 3.1% nationally, with WA showing the largest increase of 11.9% and Sydney showing a 1.4% increase (-0.5% lower than last year). However, Housing Industry Association figures released on Wednesday show that despite the rhetoric, housing affordability is better than three years ago in the capital cities due to increases in disposable income. But, outside the capitals, housing affordability is a different story, with affordability the worst since September 1989.

Labor's policy on water recycling

Federal Labor announced its water recycling policy this week which sets a national target of 30% of wastewater being recycled by 2015. The policy involves developing consistent, comprehensive national guidelines for water recycling; providing the leadership, support and investment necessary to achieve the 30% recycling target; and encouraging innovation and new technological solutions to deliver a sustainable water supply for Australia.
From the President

It was heartening to hear the news this week that progress has been made on talks between the Norfolk Island Government and the Australian Government on reform of governance of the Island. I have not been fortunate enough to visit the Island myself but have heard from others that it is a fabulous place, steeped in tradition and with an enviable sense of community and local engagement which enriches the life of its inhabitants and contributes greatly to its attraction as a tourist destination. Unlike Christmas and Cocos Islands, which are governed under a local government model, Norfolk Island is currently a self-governing external territory. Local Government, Territories and Roads Minister Jim Lloyd has pointed out that the Island is facing economic difficulties linked to a drop in tourism following changes to the market and two unfortunate high-profiles murders on the Island - Janelle Patton in 2002 and the 2004 murder of the Deputy Chief Minister 'Toon' Buffett.

Whatever the impetus for reform, whether it is economic, or a growing call for a system of government more in line with Australian models, it is a welcome development for all parties that the Norfolk Island Government has put forward suggestions about the proposed models. The two models under discussion are a reformed territory parliament, along the lines of the ACT or Northern Territory parliaments, or a Local Government model, along the lines of the model that operates in Christmas and Cocos Islands.

Indications are that the Norfolk Island Government is favouring territory status at this stage. The local government model offers advantages to the Island. It is a system which would complement the unique character of the Island and provide grass-roots representation with a clear focus on service delivery and the infrastructure needs of the community. It appears there is a growing need for aged care facilities on the Island which urgently need to be addressed.

The Norfolk Island Government in its further deliberations, should look no further than the strengths of Local Government and its record in responding to the aspirations, and needs of the people it represents. Though no model is perfect, this would be a good path for the government and the people of Norfolk Island to take.

Cr Paul Bell AM
ALGA President

NGA06: Pushing the Agenda

Councils will receive in the mail this week registration brochures and the program for this year's National General Assembly - Pushing the Agenda on 27-30 of November in Canberra. A reminder that motions are due by Friday 8th of September. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to the ALGA forward agenda, building on the themes of Fair funding, Fair treatment, and Formal recognition, in the lead up to next year's Federal election campaign. ALGA President, Cr Paul Bell will launch the National Local Roads and Transport Strategy and Graham Morris from PriceWaterhouseCoopers will be the keynote speaker. Have your say!

National road deaths down in July

Figures released by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) showed that 111 people died in road crashes last month, 21 per cent down on the number of deaths in July 2005. The July result was one of the lowest monthly figures on record. During the first seven months of 2006, the total number of road deaths dropped by 1.4 per cent compared with the same period last year. This included a 7 per cent reduction in deaths of vehicle drivers. The Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads, the Hon Jim Lloyd, said that despite these positive signs, the level of road trauma in this country remained unacceptably high and must be seriously addressed by all governments, the vehicle industry and the wider community. "I am particularly concerned about current trends among our most vulnerable road user groups. ATSB data show that pedestrian deaths have increased by 9 per cent during 2006 and bicyclist deaths are up by 13 per cent," Mr Lloyd said. Mr Lloyd said that road trauma was influenced by many factors and it was unclear if current economic circumstances, such as increased fuel prices, were having any impact on the number and distribution of road deaths. In the period January to July 2006, there were 917 deaths on the nation's roads, compared with 930 in the same period last year.

Glenorchy celebrates cultural diversity

Local buses will help Glenorchy acknowledge and celebrate the importance of its residents drawn from the four corners of the globe, with a new poster campaign. Local people and their values are behind the campaign to promote mutual understanding between different cultural groups within schools communities in Glenorchy, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Andrew Robb, said. Funded by a Federal Government Living in Harmony grant, Glenorchy City Council has produced the Diversity: We are who we are campaign. The campaign, launched last week, will see posters on buses that featured striking images and quotes by school students and community members in Glenorchy.

The Australian Government supported Glenorchy Council in this work through a community grant of nearly $24,000 through the Living in Harmony program. This is the seventh year of Living in Harmony grants which typically allocate $5,000 to $50,000 to local projects. Since 1998 there have been more than 304 grants under the program.

Quote of the week

If liberty and equality, as is thought by some, are chiefly to be found in democracy - they will be best attained when all persons alike share in the government to the utmost.
    - Aristotle - Greek critic, philosopher, physicist, and zoologist (384 BC - 322 BC)

National Cultural Heritage Forum update

The National Cultural Heritage Forum (NCHF), met with the Minister Campbell and Department Secretary of Environment and Heritage in Canberra last week. The Forum was briefed on a range of key policy issues currently before Department of Environment and Heritage, including proposed amendments to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, the future of the Register of the National Estate (RNE), and the latest progress in world heritage listing. ALGA, as a member of the Forum took the opportunity to express Local Government's concerns with the key finding and recommendations arising from the recently released Productivity Commission Report of Heritage Conservation. ALGA asked Minister Campbell to give close consideration to the many submissions that were forwarded to the Commission, and recognize that the Commonwealth was particularly well placed to provide a strong leadership role in protecting Australia's built heritage. Membership of the NCHF is appointed by the Minister and operates on a largely voluntary role. Participants include International Council on Monuments and Sites, Australian Heritage Council, Museums Australia, Australasian Institute of Maritime Archaeology, Australian Council of National Trusts, Property Council of Australia, Royal Australian Institute of Architects.

Wattle Day

The Wattle Day Association is interested in exploring opportunities with local councils to promote wattle as a national symbol of Australia. As the floral emblem of Australia, wattle has both official and community acceptance. The proposal is for citizenship ceremonies throughout Australia to be closely linked with the observance of Wattle Day and a sprig of wattle blossom presented to each new citizen.

Vale - the Hon Dr Reginald (Spot) Turnbull

The recent death of the Hon Dr Reginald (Spot) Turnbull, former Senator for Tasmania and former Mayor of Launceston was marked by Condolence Motions in the Senate on August 8. The Senate President described Dr Turnbull as 'one of the most significant political figures in Tasmanian politics in the second half of the 20th century. Dr Turnbull was an MHA for Bass from 1946 until 1961, when he resigned to successfully contest a Senate election becoming Australia's first Independent Senator. He was a gifted physician who contributed greatly to improvements in public health. Dr Turnbull served in the Tasmanian Parliament as Labor's Minister for Health for 11 years and subsequently as his state's Treasurer. In local government, his achievements in Tasmania included overseeing the introduction of fluoride to town water to improve dental health - a very worthy achievement - the introduction of compulsory X-rays to help fight tuberculosis, improvements to women's health services and encouraging the establishment of the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Tasmania. Dr Turnbull was a popular and effective mayor of Launceston while serving as a senator. He was once described as the 'stormy petrel' of politics. Following his 90th birthday, 'Spot' indulged in a series of living wakes because he said he would not spend money on parties he could not attend. He remained interested in politics throughout his long life and received a Centenary of Federation Medal for his parliamentary service.

Vale - the Hon Kevin Stewart

Bulldogs rugby league club president and former Local Government Minister the Hon Kevin Stewart has died of cancer at the age of 77, the club announced. Stewart, a former NSW parliamentarian and health minister in the Labor government of Neville Wran, died in Canterbury Hospital in the early hours on Tuesday. Mr Stewart was Local Government Minister from 10 February, 1984 to 31 December, 1985. He had been president of the club since 2002. Mr Stewart's funeral service will be held at St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney at 11am on Monday August 28.

Vocational Education Research report

The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) report - Creating synergies: Local government facilitating learning and development through partnerships - documents the evolution of four learning communities in Victoria, which are involved in local government. It investigates the challenges and complexities involved in getting these communities off the ground and what roles, if any, vocational education and training (VET) institutions have played. Key principles emerging from the study include the importance of recognising different stakeholders' values and perspectives, appreciating multiple outcomes and proactively managing the relationships between various groups of stakeholders. Key findings include that local government has enormous potential and resources to contribute to the community and that VET is a necessary part of the system but has not been particularly proactive in the four cases described in this study. A copy of this report can be downloaded, free of charge - or can be purchased in hardcopy for $25.30.

Last chance for BCA 2007 amendments

The draft amendments for the 2007 edition of the Building Code of Australia (BCA) are now available for review and public comment. The proposed changes to Volume One and Volume Two of the BCA follow research and consultation with industry and other stakeholders. They include, among other things, updated cross-referencing to Standards and other documents, updated energy efficiency provisions, and technical and editorial changes. If adopted, the changes would take effect from 1 May 2007. The draft BCA changes are available from the Australian Building Code Board's website. Comments are invited until Friday 25 August 2006, and are to be sent to BCA2007@abcb.gov.au using the response sheet template available from the ABCB website.

Council friendships

Penrith and Lachlan councils have established a true sister city relationship - between the city and the bush. Penrith Mayor John Thain and Lachlan counterpart Terry Brady signed a Friendship Agreement in Condobolin. The agreement formalised a range of alliances developed between both councils. Areas of co-operation between Penrith and Lachlan include:

  • sharing IT services
  • staff exchanges
  • sister school relationships
  • Lions Club ties
  • joint art exhibitions
International news  
A yen for stability

The Japanese town of Yubari is about to become the country's first municipality to file for bankruptcy in 14 years. Despite the fact that Japan is enjoying one of its longest periods of economic growth since the end of the second world war, a severe loss in population as people move to bigger cities has pushed Yubari into financial ruin. Yubari's population is now one tenth of what it was in the 1960s, and the government's decision to cut back spending on public works and to reduce the amount of central funding for the regions is making matters worse.
- Financial Times

State of the Regions report 2005-06