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Parliament supports historic resolution for local government

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An historic resolution recognising local government has passed through the Australian Parliament.

The news was heralded by Australian Local Government Association president Cr Paul Bell as "a significant day for local government which has officially come of age as a key player in Australian federalism."

"The resolution acknowledges the role local government has in service delivery, its grass-roots connectedness to communities and its place in the governance of this great nation," Cr Bell said.

"We view this resolution as an important stepping stone towards our longer term goal of full constitutional recognition."

Cr Bell congratulated all parties in both Houses for backing the motion. There were 22 speakers representing all sides of politics, unanimous in their praise and recognition of the important work being done by local governments around Australia.

"The length of debate is testament to the support in the community and in Parliament for the role local government plays in our federal system," he said.

"In particular, I congratulate Local Government Minister Jim Lloyd for his work in strengthening the relationship between governments and for introducing the motion into Parliament."

The motion passed through the House of Representatives on Tuesday, October 17. It was passed by the Senate on September 7. ALGA worked with the Australian Government on developing the resolution, which was part of the Government's response to the Fair Share report on cost shifting, chaired by the current Speaker of the House of Representatives David Hawker.

Minister Lloyd said the resolution was a significant milestone for local government

"Local government is an integral part of the governance task in Australia," he said. "They are at the coalface of the community as many of the rules and regulations that have most impact on our everyday lives are made by local government. The Australian Government has demonstrated its willingness to work in partnership with local government in the past and will continue to do so in the future."

"Today's passing of the Parliamentary Resolution confirms the Australian Government's ongoing commitment to local government."

Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese said the motion was a small step towards recognizing the importance of local government.

But giving the third tier of government constitutional recognition would go beyond the government's symbolic statement.

Mr Albanese said local government wanted constitutional recognition as an acknowledgement of its critical role in grass roots democracy and in providing local infrastructure and services.

He moved an amendment to support a referendum to extend constitutional recognition to the sector.

However, Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Teresa Gambaro said the original motion was in line with the recommendations of a bipartisan parliamentary committee and was supported by local government.

She said referendums in 1974 and 1988 to extend constitutional recognition had been rejected by voters.

Mr Albanese's motion was defeated on party lines.

Parliamentary resolution - passed by both Houses of Parliament

"That the House/Senate:

  1. recognises that local government is part of the governance of Australia, serving communities through locally elected councils
  2. values the rich diversity of councils around Australia, reflecting the varied communities they serve.
  3. acknowledges the role of local government in governance, advocacy, the provision of infrastructure, service delivery, planning, community development and regulation.
  4. acknowledges the importance of cooperating with and consulting with local government on the priorities of their local communities.
  5. acknowledges the significant Australian Government funding that is provided to local government to spend on locally determined priorities, such as roads and other local government services.
  6. commends local government elected officials who give their time to serve their communities."

Labor's amendment: (defeated)

That paragraph 1) be omitted and the following paragraph substituted;

  • "1) supports a referendum to extend constitutional recognition to local government in recognition of the essential role it plays in the governance of Australia."
Quotes from Parliamentary debate on motion recognising local government

Last month, 'ALGA News' published quotes from Parliamentary debate in the Senate and House of Representatives. Following is the second instalment from speeches in the Main Committee of the

House of Representatives between October 9-17. Full Hansard of debate in both Houses is available on the ALGA website under Newsroom.

Ms Catherine King MP (Ballarat)
"Local councils are an important part of our system of government and a vital part of our communities. As the tier of government closest to the community, they have the capacity to react quickly to changed circumstances, more closely represent the views and aspirations of their communities and provide better direct services...In my own electorate I am lucky enough to have four outstanding local governments which support and enrich their respective communities at the grassroots level." - the City of Ballarat, Moorabool Shire Council, Hepburn Shire Council and Golden Plains Shire.
Ms Julie Owens MP (Paramatta)
"Local government is at the closest level to our communities, It is at the closest level to what people feel they need to make their lives better or a day-to-day basis. I commend this motion to the House, it is a great one."
The Hon Simon Crean MP (Hotham)
"However, important as the motion is, it does not go far enough. In essence, local government needs actions which support actual recognition, not just motions of support. Labor's amendment to this motion calls for a referendum to extend constitutional recognition to local government."
Ms Kirsten Livermore MP (Capricornia)
"The partnership between the federal government and local councils has to be made stronger and more equal so that when councils identify the services and infrastructure that are required there is a quicker and better targeted response from federal government."
Mr Brendan O'Connor MP(Gorton)
"As a former councilor at Whittlesea yourself, Mr Deputy Speaker Jenkins, you share, like many federal members, a history of involvement in not only Commonwealth government but also local government. Probably the most famous example would be Ben Chifley. He was a councillor of the City of Bathurst at the same time that he was Prime Minister of this country."
Ms Maria Vamvakinou MP (Calwell)
"All the wonderful work that the Hume City Council does for its residents is an illustration of just how important the role of local government is to its community…It is, after all, the level of government that is closest to the people. It struggles day to day to cope with the increasing responsibility that is placed on it to deliver services and to take up responsibilities that ordinarily one would think would be the responsibility of state and federal governments."
Mr Anthony Albanese MP (Grayndler)
"The Labor Party support this parliamentary motion on local government. We support it because it is a small step in the direction of giving appropriate recognition to the important role that local government plays in the delivery of services at the local level. Local government is a particularly important tier of government because it is the tier that is closest to the people.
The Hon Teresa Gambaro MP, Parliamentary Secretary, Foreign Affairs (Petrie)
"It is the first time ever that the Commonwealth parliament has considered a motion recognizing that local government has a legitimate place in the governance of Australia. Again, I want to place on record my sincere appreciation of the great role that it plays. The motion celebrates the achievements of local government, it applauds the efforts of these people who work to represent their communities day and night and it marks the special relationship that we as the Australian government have with local government. I commend all the efforts of the Australian Local Government Association in their representation of local government interests in many forums."

National Party pushes for fair funding for local government

Pie chart

At the National Party federal conference over the weekend, the following motion proposed by the VIC, QLD and WA Nationals was successfully carried:

"That this federal conference of the Nationals calls on:

Each of the state branches of the Nationals to adopt the policy of the Victorian Nationals to allocate 1% of the respective state's GST revenue to local government thereby providing access to growth revenue.

The Federal Government to increase the general purpose component of the Financial Assistance Grants to local government be increased to be 1% of total Commonwealth taxation revenue not including GST and that realistic escalation provisions be considered."

The National Party also launched its policy proposal 'Our aims for infrastructure and national development' at the conference. Details on the Nationals website.

Report on Australian Transport Council

B-Triple truck

Australian, State and Territory Ministers and the President of the Australian Local Government Association met in Canberra last week as the Australia Transport Council (ATC). The meeting was chair by the Minister for Transport and Regional Services and Deputy Prime Minister, Mark Vaile.

The meeting discussed and reached agreement on a range of transport issues including a number that are directly relevant to local government.

ALGA President Cr Paul Bell represented the interests of local government to ensure that the final outcomes were of benefit and not detrimental to councils.

The meeting heard from the Chair of the Productivity Commission on its recent Discussion Draft on Road and Rail Pricing. Cr Bell's comments about the impact on local roads and local communities were supported by state and territory Ministers.

ALGA will be providing a written submission to the Productivity Commission. It has also been invited to attend a stakeholder round table on 10 November with the Productivity Commission.

A number of heavy vehicle reforms including performance based standards for heavy veicles and B-Triples, were agreed. ALGA has been invited to work with state and territory governments on road classification guidelines and identification of infrastructure needs and costings.

Cr Bell made it clear to the meeting that while local government supports these reforms these freight efficient vehicles would not be allowed on local roads unless there were suitable mechanisms to ensure that the roads were of a suitable standard.

Cr Bell was able to obtain a agreement to its needs for support to ensure its roads are capable of handling these vehicles being included in a letter to the Prime Minister from the Chair of ATC. The letter to the Prime Minister now sets out local government concerns about the possible impact of these reforms and that it will need assistance for these reforms to being implemented.

ALGA will work with Victoria to develop an overview on corridor strategies being undertaken by the Commonwealth in urban areas as part of AusLink. This will provide ALGA with the opportunity of inputting to the development of urban strategies.

An agenda item at the meeting raised concerns about the cost of providing regional airports and the cost to smaller airlines flying to these airports of meeting the regulatory requirements. ALGA has been included in an officials working group to examine these concerns.

ATC also noted the terms of reference for a 5 year review of Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport. ALGA will participate in this review because of the implications for local government which has to much of the delivery of these standards.

ATC showed that while there are a number of significant transport reforms underway and new issues are also emerging

Cr Bell said that ALGA will be looking to state associations and individual councils to support it as it becomes involved in these projects for the benefit of all councils.

The National Road Safety Action Plan for 2007 and 2008 can be accessed from the Australian Transport Council website.

From the President

Local government has taken a giant step towards formal recognition of its role as an equal partner in Australian federalism.

The passing of the resolution this week by the Australian Parliament has taken local government to a bold new place at the table of our federation.

State associations and councils throughout Australia have applauded this historic event which is of great moment for local government.

I am aware of the important part that mayors, shire presidents, presidents, the ALGA executive, and councillors have played in ensuring the success of the motion. No stone was left unturned.

You all lobbied, rang, wrote, emailed and generally chewed the ears off your local MPs and senators to ensure that the motion received widespread support! This pleasing outcome is the reward of all that effort.

What was most pleasing was the unanimous support for local government. It was heartwarming to be in Parliament the day the motion was introduced and to read the reams of Hansard. The 22 speakers praised their individual councils and gave public voice to the often unacknowledged achievements of local government.

The MPs and Senators who spoke on the motion will be invited to the National General Assembly opening night drinks so you will have a chance to congratulate them personally.

The other theme that cropped up repeatedly in the debate was an awareness by federal representatives that the role that local government plays in the life of our nation has become increasingly broader with expanded and more onerous responsibilities.

There is no doubt that local government is not just the third sphere of government, but is increasingly seen as a major deliverer of high-quality and efficient services. This realistic perception has been boosted by our strong partnerships with the Australian Government through programs such as Roads to Recovery and through strengthening partnerships in areas such as health, aged care and the environment.

We sit at the table as full participants in the Council of Australian Governments, provide strong advocacy at 13 Ministerial Councils, covering areas such as housing, the environment, emergency management and transport.

In this context, constitutional recognition is a logical step. In 1901, when the Australian Constitution was drafted local government was regarded as a state responsibility. However, the reality in 2006 is that three distinct and democratically-elected spheres of government provide infrastructure, services and advocacy for our communities, and this should be reflected in our defining national document.

However, we should be clear about the magnitude of the task ahead. Constitutional recognition has been voted down by the public at two separate referenda and the Australian Government presently does not support the concept. We must have bipartisan political support and community support for the referendum to succeed. I look forward to working towards this cherished long-term goal of formal recognition for local government with your assistance. In the meantime, we should reflect on how far we have come over the past few months.

Cr Paul Bell AM
ALGA President

National General Assembly

At last year's National General Assembly, ALGA successfully launched the Triple F campaign — Fair federal funding, Fair treatment, Formal recognition — with rousing support of the delegates. This year, we will be Pushing the Agenda, as we prepare for the next federal election in 2007. Our communities deserve nothing less.

2007 Roads and Transport Congress

The National Local Roads and Transport Congress – having travelled the length and breadth of the country - returns to New South Wales in 2007, this time in Newcastle on 8-10 July. Since it’s inception in 2000, the Congress has played a central role in bringing local government together to help shape and define the case for better funding for and management of the nation’s national road and transport network. It was instrumental in ALGA’s successful campaigns for greater road funding and over the last two years the Congress has helped ALGA develop a National Local Roads and Transport Strategy, to be launched at this year’s National General Assembly for Local Government . Register before 10 November 2006 to save $100 off the registration fee.

Exercise Cumpston 06

Australia's ability to cope with an influenza pandemic was put to the test through Australia's largest-ever health simulation exercise that commenced on Monday and concluded yesterday. An "infected" person flying into Brisbane airport on Tuesday from the the imaginary Pacific island country of Amacar triggered the mock outbreak. Exercise Cumpston 06, was designed to focus on the health responses set out in the revised Australian Health Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza (AHMPPI) and also allow all states and territories to participate is order to allow the testing of their own Influenza pandemic plans. Exercise Cumpston has been estimated to have cost $4.1 million. It involved more than 1,000 officials and health workers from the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments, and some 55 observers international and national peak body representatives, including ALGA. Given the location, council officers from both Brisbane and the City of Logan also participated in the exercise.

The Commonwealth Minister for Health and Ageing, Tony Abbott, said the exercise was designed to help test Australia's border controls, disease detection and surveillance, contact tracing, quarantine and treatment systems.

It would also test governments' ability to make decisions and coordinate their response, which will include the establishment of influenza assessment clinics (also referred to as fever clinics in other jurisdictions that QLD) and distribution of anti-viral drugs. "Australia is recognised as a world leader in pandemic preparedness," Mr Abbott said.

The government has already spent more than $600 million preparing for an influenza epidemic, including building up one of the world's largest anti-viral stockpiles. The exercise was developed as a consequence of the growing fears that have arisen in recent years of a worldwide influenza pandemic when the deadly H5N1 bird flu was found in humans. Whilst bird flu has been detected in 53 countries and there have been 252 confirmed cases by the World Health Organisation, there has been no proven cases of person-to-person transmission.

The Australian Government has stockpiled enough anti-virals Relenza and Tamiflu to cover about 20 per cent of Australia's population, and is waiting on orders that would take that figure to 44 per cent. Whilst antiviral may help to delay or assist in fighting the disease, there is no vaccine available to protect the population should the H5N1 strain mutate into a form that could be transferred between people.

NSW: Councils prepare for the big dry

The prolonged drought is forcing NSW councils to increase water restrictions and plan elaborate water catchment projects. Bourke Shire Council, in the state's west, will implement level-two water restrictions in less than two weeks as the nearby Darling River approaches a new low of 3.5 metres. Level one restrictions came into force less than a week ago, but hot spring temperatures were causing river water to evaporate faster than the area's 4,000 residents could use it, council general manager Ken Croskell said today.

The level one restrictions were introduced when the Darling dropped below 3.9m. Now sitting on 3.7m, it is expected to drop further to the level two threshold of 3.5m before the end of the month. Currently, residents can only use sprinklers to water their lawns and gardens for two hours a day, but level two will ban sprinklers, forcing residents to only use hand-held hoses. Level six restrictions, the most severe for the area, kick in at a river depth of 1.1m, which limits use to 100 litres per person per day. Mr Croskell said a continuation of the hot weather, and no rain in Queensland, where the Darling has its headwaters, would force the council to truck water from other areas or to tap bore water.

"The weather isn't helping and it will be a bigger challenge once we get more into it," Mr Croskell said. Water Utilities Minister David Campbell said the NSW government was getting on with the job of water reform, but the situation in Bourke was of particular concern. "The rural community I think of perhaps greatest concern is Bourke, and we're working with the Bourke community and we've approved funding to tap some groundwater at Bourke," Mr Campbell said. A contingency plan also was in place at Goulburn, he said.

In Sydney, the city council announced today it would implement a $2.3 million water re-use scheme to save 100 megalitres a year - the equivalent of 66 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Seepage water from the Cross City Tunnel and run-off from the city's Hyde Park and Cook and Phillip Park will be trapped in underwater tanks while Sydney's once main water source, Busby's Bore, will be recommissioned.

The water will be used to irrigate parks, trees and floral displays in the city centre and for street cleaning. The council estimates it will only need to use about 40 per cent of the water, allowing it to investigate potential commercial uses for the remaining water. "With water becoming an increasingly precious resource, this proposal taps into existing water sources which are currently going to waste," Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

Source: AAP
First $350m of drought package

The Prime Minister, John Howard, has announced the first part of Federal Cabinet's drought package and promised to offer help to more types of producers and extend the amount of time it is offered.

Federal Cabinet is working on a package worth about $750 million. The Federal Government has spent more than $1 billion on drought relief so far. Mr Howard says there has been a significant policy change because irrigators and dairy farmers will be eligible, as well as dry land farmers. "All eligible producers in 18 exceptional circumstances declared areas in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and the ACT will receive an extension to their income support and interest rate subsidies until the 31st March 2008," Mr Howard said.

Wanted: 50% rate subsidy for drought

The Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW today called on the State Government to give a 50% rate subsidy to eligible farmers and rural businesses who are facing the worst drought in Australia's history.

The Federal Treasurer confirmed last week the current drought was the worst on record, and September figures show 92 per cent of NSW under drought declarations. The President of the Local Government Association, Cr Genia McCaffery, said many rural councils had deferred rate collections or imposed minimal rate increases trying to assist drought stricken farmers for several years.

"A number of farmers are in default with rates, and this situation can only deteriorate rapidly," she said. "This will create added pressures on already financially strained rural councils, further limiting their ability to maintain community infrastructure and services at this critical time. Since 2005, the Victorian Government has paid half of the rate levies of farmers who are in receipt of Centrelink relief payments because of drought. It is time we showed a helping hand and implemented a similar program in NSW. This goes above politics; councils are playing their part, but the State should introduce a similar benefit for farmers and struggling rural businesses immediately."

The President of the Shires Association, Cr Col Sullivan OAM, said on the latest data available (2004) 46 councils out of 113 outside metropolitan Sydney had outstanding rate collections in excess of 10 per cent.

Graffiti Forum

A forum this week heard that eradication of unsolicited graffiti requires a partnership approach that would see councils working in collaboration with other stakeholders and local strategies underpinned by state government funding and statewide strategy support.

Hosted by the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) in partnership with Crime and Violence Prevention at the Department of Justice, the Local Government Graffiti Forum was attended by

The Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Tim Holding, delegates from 32 councils and other organisations in the field of graffiti management.

Cr Dick Gross, MAV President, said local government was a key community leader and educator with a capacity to influence widespread involvement to tackle graffiti issues. "Councils are exploring and developing both educational and preventative local strategies that engage their communities including police, justice, welfare, neighbourhood watch, traders and residents in the ongoing battle against unsightly graffiti," he said.

"While individual municipalities are devising innovative programs in consultation with their communities, there needs to be stronger state support to bring together policing, enforcement, eradication and prevention efforts of councils. The seriousness of graffiti issues varies between councils so localised strategies should be based on fundamentals developed collaboratively with the State Government," he said.

In Victoria, most councils manage graffiti as a community safety issue because it relates to both crime prevention and local perceptions of safety.

According to Cr Gross, local government supports the concept of a statewide campaign that reinforces the widespread community perception of graffiti as an unacceptable anti-social activity.

"There are a variety of views across the state on ways to tackle this issue with some councils in support of developing measures towards a zero tolerance approach," he said. "However, in addition to prevention and enforcement activities, some councils also support community art programs or permit systems that provide opportunities for graffiti artists to express their craft in an more acceptable manner. Graffiti requires a measured approach that stamps out offensive criminal behaviour such as defacing property owned by others and teaches offenders that all art can be admired if it takes place in a community supported environment."

Community safety and crime prevention

Australian communities are coming up with innovative and collaborative ways to improve community safety and prevent crime. Applications are now being invited for the fourth round of funding under the National Community Crime Prevention Program, the Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator Chris Ellison announced today.

The Government has committed $64 million over four years, including $8 million for Greater Western Sydney region grants, and $6 million to assist local communities with security related infrastructure, such as closed circuit television systems.

Senator Ellison said funding of almost $29 million has already been granted to 172 community organisations to support innovative community safety and crime prevention measures. "These projects are making a real difference across the country, from the installation of security cameras in commercial centres, mentoring programs for young men at risk, or raising awareness about crime prevention among community members from a non-English speaking background."

Funding is available in three streams:

  • Community Safety stream grants of up to $150,000 per project
  • Indigenous Community Safety stream grants of up to $150,000 per project
  • Community Partnership stream grants of up to $500,000 per project

The next funding round will be advertised in metropolitan and regional newspapers on Saturday 21 October 2006. Applications will close on 1 December 2006. Applications are sought from incorporated, not for profit community organisations and local government agencies to support community initiatives which identify and promote innovative ways of reducing and preventing crime.

Further information and application forms are available at www.crimeprevention.gov.au, by emailing nccppinfo@ag.gov.au or by contacting the Attorney General's Department on 02 6250 6711.

Amendments to environment laws tabled

The Federal Environment Minister, Senator Ian Campbell, says he will streamline the laws that protect Australia's environment. Senator Campbell says the laws will be amended so major developments are considered in a local and regional context, rather than individually. He has presented to Parliament more than 400 pages of amendments.

One change will be the process of public nominations for heritage listings. "What I'm doing there is I am in no way discouraging public nominations, but I'm making it quite clear that the Minister and the Government should be responsible for setting priorities and determining what nominations are assessed," he said.

The Greens Senator Bob Brown says the changes will shut the public out of an important process.

Amendment of the EPBC Act

The Senate environment committee is undertaking a review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. They are seeking comments from a broad range of community groups and local government. Information on the inquiry and advice on preparing a submission are available on the Committee's web site. The closing date for submissions is 27 October 2006.

Solar Boat Challenge

Australia's International Solar Boat Challenge will be held as part of this years ACTIVATE day hosted by Penrith City Council. Over 80 boats from a wide range of schools, community groups and enthusiasts will compete. There are two classes, both piloted boats and model boats. The solar challenge aims to increase the understanding of solar technologies and to generate interest in alternative fuel sources within the community. Most boats have been built by school children who will in turn be to demonstrate their understanding of the technologies. A number of councils have strongly supported the race and everyone is invited to get along to watch the races on 5 November at the Regatta Centre in Penrith.

Quote of the week

"Use what talents you possess. The woods would be very silent if no birds sang except for those that sang best."
    - Henry Van Dyke

International news  
Paddies answer to greenhouse gas

China's expanding economy makes it the second largest emitter of carbon on the planet after the US, potentially with serious consequences for global climate. However, the country's extensive rice paddies could do far more to cancel out the emissions than previously thought.

After analysing a newly compiled high-resolution digital soil map of China, a team of US and Chinese researchers has revised its figure for the land area taken up by rice paddies from 30 to 45.7 million hectares. The team also found that the mean density of carbon in the top metre of rice paddy soil is greater than expected. As a result, the total amount of carbon stored in rice paddy soil in China is 5.1 billion tonnes, which is 66 to 75 per cent higher than previously published estimates. This amounts to 5.2 per cent of all the carbon stored in all types of soils across China.

The results could persuade the Chinese government to look for ways of sequestering its carbon output within the soils, which would help mitigate atmospheric increases. Such a program could in turn improve crop production.

New Scientist magazine, 14 October 2006

NGA2996 State of the Regions report 2005-06