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Labor confirms commitment to roads funding

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Concerns were expressed in the ALGA News of 3 August at the possible impact on direct funding to local government of recommendations contained in a discussion paper from the ALP Advisory Group on Federal State Reform on the future development of Specific Purpose Payments (SPPs).

Martin Ferguson, the Shadow Minister for Transport and Roads, has subsequently written to the ALGA President Cr Paul Bell clarifying the situation and unequivocally committing any future Labor Government to retention of all AusLink Programs.

Martin Ferguson wrote "…Federal Labor is absolutely committed to the retention of all AusLink programs, including the Roads to Recovery, Blackspot and Strategic Regional Programs which involve direct funding arrangements between the Commonwealth and local government authorities."

Cr Bell thanked Martin Ferguson for his rapid response confirming the Labor position on these funding arrangements which are so critical to local government.

"I welcome this reiteration of the commitment by Martin Ferguson to remove any uncertainty about Labor funding for roads" Cr Bell said.

"The direct funding relationship between Federal Government and Local Government through programs like Roads to Recovery and Blackspots is crucial to the provision of decent and safe roads to local communities." Cr Bell said.

Cr Bell said that he looks forward to working with the Labor Party as it develops its new approach to federalism. "Local government is an integral part of the federation and our roles and responsibilities should be recognised in any policy discussions about forging new relationships between the states, the federal government and local government," he said.

Unbowed, unbroken and united - the courage of Queensland councils

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At 4.05am after a marathon overnight debate lasting close to 14 hours the Beattie Government passed the Local Government Reform Implementation Bill 2007.

Defiant Queensland mayors have vowed to push ahead with ballots on council mergers despite facing instant dismissal under new state government laws.

The Queensland Government upped the ante in the amalgamation battle by introducing an amendment to let it summarily sack councils who carry out ballots.

Despite the moves Bob Oakes, the mayor of Nebo shire in central Queensland, says he's willing to be sacked for going ahead with a postal vote. He says he's not be scared of being sacked if it's the price he's got to pay.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister John Howard buoyed the spirits of local councils in Queensland by offering to pay the expenses of councils that want to run referendums on amalgamations, in their David vs Goliath battle with the Queensland Government.

Mr Howard has accused the Beattie Labor government of "ripping the heart out of local democracy" by the slashing of council numbers form 156 to 72. "This plan by Mr Beattie will slash thousands of jobs in regional communities and threaten the viability of many hundreds of small towns throughout Queensland."

Under the announcement, Mr Howard said the Australian Electoral Commission would be allowed by the Government to undertake any plebiscite on the amalgamation of any local government body in any part of Australia.

"The important thing is to give people the right to express their view," The Prime Minister said. "The idea that people should be fined for wanting to express a democratic opinion in a ballot box is fundamentally outrageous."

The President of the Queensland Local Government Association and ALGA President, Cr Paul Bell, labelled Mr Beattie a dictator after the Queensland Premier moved to enshrine in law the power to sack councils that put proposed mergers to a local vote.

Cr Bell said local government refused to be intimidated and the threat will not stop mayors and councillors putting their necks on the line. He said ballots are only going to give local communities a voice and the person who stops communities from having a voice slips into the ranks of a great dictator. New laws impose $1125 fines on individual councillors who allow a local ballot on proposed mergers.

The Minister for Local Government, Territories & Roads, Jim Lloyd, welcomed the announcement by the Prime Minister.

"The Howard Government has been concerned for some time now about the manner in which this process has been conducted, particularly after comments made recently by Premier Beattie and his Minister that councils and councillors would be sacked if they tried to hold a referendum," Mr Lloyd said.

"The Howard Government believes that the people in Queensland deserve to - and have the right to - an appeals process, something that the Beattie Labor Government is trying to deny."

Labor Leader Kevin Rudd has indicated his support for voluntary amalgamations and that he has 'no problem' with the Federal Government funding AEC ballots.

Remote Aerodrome Safety Program

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The Federal Government has released the guidelines and called for applications for the Remote Aerodrome Safety Program. This is a $22 million four year Program announced in the May Budget.

The Remote Aerodrome Safety Program is aimed at assisting the upgrading remote and isolated aerodromes to facilitate the provision of non-commercial essential community air services. It funds the reconstruction, upgrade and preventative maintenance of airport infrastructure as well as other safety and associated accessibility measures that contribute to the increased safety and useability of the aerodrome.

The aim of the program is to provide, where possible, year round all weather access, that will:

  • increase the safety of aircraft using the airstrip during take-off and landing;
  • facilitate improved delivery of essential services such as food supplies, medical, community mail and passenger transport services;
  • complement safety advisory and services assistance provided through other government program such as Remote Air-services Subsidy Scheme and Remote Aerodrome Inspection Program; and/or
  • meet operational requirements of the Royal Flying Doctor Service

The Program is an application based and councils will need to apply to secure funding. Applications for funding in 2007-08 close on 28 September 2007.

The Program Guidelines and details of the application process are available from the Department of Transport and Regional Services website www.dotars.gov.au.
From the President

The need for constitutional recognition for local government is the 'elephant in the room' as once again local government and local communities are being ignored and over-ridden, this time by a dictatorial Queensland state government.

Constitutional recognition offers the prospect of removing local government from the sole control of the states and giving us the right to appeal to the Federal Government in circumstances like the current one in Queensland. As we are only too keenly aware, the Australian Constitution only recognises the Federal and State and Territory Governments. There is no mention of local government in the Constitution. Local government is a subsidiary of the states and created by State Acts of Parliament.

Reports that the Federal Government is considering holding a referendum to override state control of local governments is a welcome development. Constitutional recognition for local government is part of the Labor Party's platform but up until now, the Coalition Government has not shown an appetite for constitutional reform.

This is partly because with two unsuccessful referenda (1975 and 1988) we would need broad political and community support for the change. Speaking about constitutional recognition, the Minister for Local Government Jim Lloyd was reported in the media as saying: "I need to be convinced there is wide support for the change..... I want to look at every way we can strengthen the relationship between the federal government and local government so I am not going to rule it out."

In recent years the Federal Government has been testing the waters with dealing directly with local government to deliver its services. The Federal Government knows that councils, as the elected representatives of the local communities, are best placed to meet the needs of their local communities.

The flagship program has been the highly successful Roads to Recovery Program which commenced in 2001 and was extended in the recent Budget to 2014. It will have provided local government with almost $4.5 billion by the time the Program ends in 2014. The Program is supported by the Labor opposition which has also committed to keeping the Program at the announced levels of funding to 2014.

Increasingly, Federal Government and local government have worked in partnership to deliver services to local communities. Local government has often been a partner in the efficient and effective planning, funding and delivery of government programs – both through specific purpose payment funding direct to local government, and local government applying for specific program funding under programs such as the Natural Heritage Trust and Regional Partnerships.

Direct partnerships between the Federal and local government spheres have many benefits - they better target and meet community aspirations and needs; are more cost effective by eliminating transaction costs and the 'middle man' of the states; are more flexible; and provide greater accountability for the Federal Government.

Direct partnerships between Federal Government and local government are most appropriate to achieve a number of key outcomes such as renewal of local infrastructure, including local sporting facilities, cultural and community venues, and roads and transport infrastructure; assessment of the impacts of climate change and the delivery of local mitigation and adaptation programs; implementation of water initiatives at the local level; delivery of national objectives in the areas of children's and aged care services; and delivery of community cultural development programs and the arts.

Local government seeks to strengthen and deepen its partnership with the Federal Government in the delivery of mutually agreed national program and policy outcomes to local communities.

But ultimately hanging over the head of every council is the knowledge that a state government can at the stroke of the legislative pen do away with any council it wishes. Will a Federal Government in the long term wish to build its partnership with local government on such unstable foundations or will it want give local government some Constitutional recognition to give itself greater certainty?

The National General Assembly in Darwin from 26-29 November will provide an opportunity to discuss these very important issues that cut to the very heart of how we, as a nation, wish to government ourselves. I urge you all to participate in the discussion. To register go to www.nga.alga.asn.au

Cr Paul Bell AM
ALGA President

Regional Development Ministers

Regional Development Ministers and the Vice President of ALGA, Cr Bill Mitchell will be meeting in Cairns on the 28 August to discuss ongoing issues that have direct relevance for national regional development. The Meeting Chair will be the Deputy Prime Minister The Hon Mark Vaile. The RDC met last in July 2006 in Alice Springs.

UDIA releases affordable housing report

Releasing the first ever audit of housing affordability in centres across Australia, the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) has urged the federal, State and territory governments to act immediately to address the steady decline of affordability.

Research was undertaken across 70 designated population centres in Australia with centres being categorised as being either affordable, having some constraints, being seriously constrained or unaffordable on the basis of the capacity of households on average incomes to purchase specified percentages of the housing sold in their local area.

This report also examines the current situation in each mainland Australian state and the Australian Capital Territory from the perspective of each state branch. It also details strategies recommended by UDIA state branches to address diminishing levels of affordability.

The UDIA report is available for viewing and download at www.udia.com.au

Housing publications

Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute has released several new publications The publications include:

Indigenous housing
No. 102: An audit and review of Australian Indigenous housing research

Issue 88: Where do low-income private renters live? (Research and Policy Bulletin)

Overall, geographic concentrations of low-income private tenants have declined in Melbourne and Adelaide, reflecting moves towards the outer suburbs. In Sydney overall concentrations have remained constant, because of moves to locations with already high concentrations such as the western suburbs.

Affordable housing
Approaches to evaluation of affordable housing initiatives in Australia (Research Paper)

The release of the Framework for National Action on Affordable Housing in 2005 demonstrates the commitment of policy makers to expand affordable housing initiatives in Australia. Building in evaluation strategies from the outset will be an important task for housing policy makers. This report provides an overview of ideas in evaluation theory and methods and applies this to affordable housing policy and practice, including a worked example of how to evaluate a particular affordable housing project.

Visit AHURI Housing Data page for regularly released national housing data, freely available from a range of sources. This information includes data on housing finance, house prices and building activity.

National Cultural Heritage Forum

The NCHF is the peak body representing cultural heritage interests at the national level, and is the only body providing the Federal Minister with direct access to the non-government organisations most directly concerned with Australia’s cultural heritage.

Membership of the Forum is both extensive and diverse, including Australia ICOMOS, Australian Council of national Trusts, Musuems Australia, RAIA, Federation of Australian Historical Societies, Collections Council of Australia, Australasian Institute of Maritime Archaeology to name but some. The Australian Heritage Council and Chairs and officials of Australia and New Zealand can also participate in this Forum.

ALGA will be participating in this meeting and continuing to work closely with its Forum Colleagues to reiterate the significant importance cultural heritage plays in the lives on Australian local and regional communities.

The NCHF was established by Senators Hill and Alston in 1996 'to improve consultations with key national groups in the historic environment'.
Calling all talented women for boards!

Talented women who are keen to contribute their skills and knowledge on Australian Government boards are encouraged to register with the new AppointWomen online database.

The Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women's Issues, the Hon Julie Bishop, yesterday announced that the new free and confidential online registration and search service was now up and running.

"AppointWomen is part of the National Strategy for the Increased Participation of Women on Boards, which is supported by State and Territory Governments," Minister Bishop said. "It will support the efforts of Australian Government departments to identify talented women, with diverse skills and experience, who are actively seeking appointment to boards or other decision-making bodies. "The Australian Government is committed to increasing the number of women in leadership roles, and AppointWomen will make it easier for women to register their interest, and for departments to find suitable women candidates."

Women can register with AppointWomen by going to www.appointwomen.gov.au and following the instructions to complete the online registration form. Once you validate your account, you can build and update your resume as often as you wish.

Federal legislative program

Key legislation to be introduced into Parliament over the next sitting includes:

Water - The bill for the Australian Government's $10b water plan. The plan supported by ALGA facilitates a Commonwealth takeover of water management in the Murray-Darling Basin from the states. Victoria has refused to sign but this may change under new Premier John Brumby.

Indigenous Intervention - The Government introduced legislation this week enabling its plan to stop child abuse in Northern Territory

Indigenous communities - The reforms under this Bill include the imposition of bans on pornography and changes to the permit system, including lifting the requirement for permits in townships, access roads and airstrips.

Terrorism - Australian Federal Police and federal agencies will get increased search and seizure powers for any criminal offence that carries imprisonment of 10 years or more.

Citizenship - The laws must be passed to meet an implementation deadline of September 17 Applicants for permanent residency will have to sit a test of Australian history and values that will consist of 20 multiple-choice questions.

Communications - A government bill to lock away $2b in rural funding. The Government will also announce more details of its rural communications review.

Trade practices - The Treasurer plans to toughen protections for small business against predatory pricing by bigger rivals. If the legislation passes, the Government may bring on further Trade Practices Act amendments to tackle cartels.

Submissions sought on future for public housing

The Australian Government has announced a major shake up of the delivery of public and community housing across Australia to drive an increase in availability.

Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Mal Brough, said current arrangements through the Commonwealth State Housing Agreement (CSHA,) which have seen the Australian Government provide almost $10 billion over the past decade directly to the states and territories, had failed to deliver additional housing for those most in need.

Minister Brough said a 'bold, new approach' was needed to effectively use these funds to ensure housing is available for those most in need including, low-middle income earners, people with disabilities, Indigenous Australians and older people.

"I am announcing that for the next CSHA from July 2008, we will immediately invite expressions of interest from all parties, including state and territory governments, the non-government sector and the private sector such as major builders and any other interested individuals, groups or organisations, for their proposals and ideas on new and innovative approaches to using the available funds to increase affordable housing supply.

Minister Brough said it would also complement the significant, direct assistance given to people on income support in the public and community housing market and private rental market, which included $2.4 billion in rent assistance.

Expressions of interests are invited by 28 September 2007. Interested parties or people seeking information can contact a special hotline on 1800 047 482 (TTY 1800 260 472) or email socialhousing@facsia.gov.au

2008 Professional of the Year Awards

Once again the time has come to celebrate our best governance professionals.

These awards were established successfully in 2007 by Chartered Secretaries Australia and aim to recognise the increasing role that the governance practitioner is playing in overall organisational performance. In particular, they seek to acknowledge the excellence of individual performance and leadership that has resulted in higher standards of governance in the practitioner’s organisation or community.

There are five categories of Awards including Governance Professional of the Year with a public sector organisation. In 2007, this category was won by Dale Dickson, Chief Executive Officer with Gold Coast City Council. Dale’s achievements as well as those of the other winners and finalists were celebrated at a gala Awards Night in Sydney in February this year.

Entries close 30 September 2007. More information can be found at www.CSAust.com/GovernanceAwards.

To nominate, request a copy of the 2008 Call for Entries booklet: email awards@CSAust.com or call 1800 251 849 and ask for a copy to be sent to you.

Councils recognised for commitment to NSW communities

20 NSW councils were recognised for outstanding contributions to their communities at the Annual Local Government Awards in Sydney.

Among the recipients were Randwick City Council, which took out the prestigious AR Bluett Award for the greatest relative progress; and Blue Mountains City Council, the overall winner in the Kellogg Heart Foundation awards, for encouraging residents to live a healthy lifestyle.

Eurobodalla Council was recognised twice for commitment to Youth Week activities.

Co-host for the Awards and President of the Local Government Association of NSW, Cr Genia McCaffery, said local government is leading the way on sustainable service delivery. "These awards recognise councillors and council staff who did their best because of their passion for their communities and the difference they can make."

Walk to Work Day

Walk to Work Day is being held on Friday 5 October 2007. It is an annual, national event where the community can become involved in a healthy and environmentally friendly activity. For further information go to : www.walk.com.au or phone the Pedestrian Council of Australia on 02 99684555.

Affluence of Metropolitan Households

The latest household income survey issued by the Australian Bureau of Statistics points to a paradox with respect to income and wealth. Canberrans earn 27 per cent more than residents of other Australian capitals, but their net worth is 4 per cent less. Hobart and Adelaide are both Australia's poorest and lowest-earning cities. A typical Hobart household earns $936 a week before tax, a typical Adelaide resident $954. Australians living away from the cities earn even less. The typical before-tax Household income in the rest of the country is $898 a week, 21 per cent less than that earned in the cities. But Australians away from the capitals are more likely to own or be buying their own houses. Only 27 per cent of Australians households away from the cities rent, well down on the 32 per cent who rent in Sydney. Canberra households are about as enthusiastic about buying their homes as those in other cities, but less successful. Only 27 per cent of Canberra households have paid off their mortgage, a smaller proportion than in any city other than Darwin, and 42 per cent have outstanding mortgages more than anywhere else making Canberra on that measure the most exposed Australian city to any rise in the mortgage rate.

On-line tool kit for sustainable suburbs

A new 'one-stop-shop' Web resource is being developed by CSIRO's division of Sustainable Ecosystems in partnership with the Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO) to help land developers, architects, surveyors, engineers and planners create more sustainable Australian urban environments.

Known as Your Development, the web portal aims to explain the 'why' and 'how' of sustainable urban development and influence future changes in market behaviours.

The national information base will allow urban development practitioners to incorporate sustainable solutions into their planning, design, construction and on going maintenance of new residential developments.

ALGA is one of several organizations that is contributing to this initiative through a Your Development Project Advisory Group (PAC). The PAC will meet in Brisbane on 20 August.

To find out more visit the project website www.yourdevelopment.org or contact project leader Michael Ambrose on 03 9252 6200 or email info@yourdevelopment.org

Quote of the week

"We will work with the federal government and the Australian Electoral Commission to give the people of Queensland their democratic right to a vote on this major change to long-standing electoral boundaries in Queensland - an opportunity twice denied them by Premier Peter Beattie."
Cr Paul Bell, ALGA President and President of the Queensland Local Government Association

International news  

Hong Kong, South Korea and Japan are the world leaders in the percentage of homes that receive broadband communications services over direct fiber optic connections, according to a new global ranking of fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) market penetration issued jointly by the FTTH Councils of Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America.

According to this first ever official ranking of FTTH deployments in the world's economies, 21.2 percent of homes in Hong Kong are wired with FTTH, followed by South Korea at 19.6 percent and Japan at 16.3 percent. Scandinavian countries occupy the next three positions, with Sweden having 7.2 percent of its households connected to FTTH, Denmark at 2.9 percent and Norway at 2.5 percent.

Taiwan, Italy, People's Republic of China, The Netherlands and the United States round out the top 11 economies, with FTTH penetration rates of between 1.4 and 1 percent of households. Only economies with penetration of 1 percent or more were included in the ranking.

"With this global ranking, it is now evident which countries are FTTH leaders and which are FTTH laggards," said Joe Savage, President of the FTTH Council North America. "What is most interesting is how the leading economies in FTTH penetration are also those with clear public policies aimed at promoting deployment of next-generation broadband networks as a matter of strategic national importance."

State of the Regions report 2006-07