ALGA News archive 2008

12 December 2008

Constitutional Summit - an historic meeting
Local Government Minister Anthony Albanese reiterated the Government's commitment, Attorney General Robert McClelland said it would be difficult but 'achievable', Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull said he was 'open-minded' but would not write a blank cheque, Nationals Leader Warren Truss said he personally supported it and keynote speaker Keith Suter suggested getting Nicole Kidman on board as an ambassador.
State of the Regions
The 2008-09 report on the state of regions commissioned by the Australian Local Government Association by forecasting group National Economics paints a bleak picture for communities across Australia unless swift and action is taken in the areas of climate change, developing a broadband network, reducing household debt and improving skills.
ALGA congratulates Federal Government on ABC bailout
Cr Geoff Lake, President of the Australian Local Government Association, congratulated the Federal Government on its announcement to provide up to $34 million of additional funds to keep an additional 241 ABC Learning Centres open into the New Year and if necessary until 31 March 2009.

05 December 2008

Regional Development Australia and local government
ALGA President Cr Geoff Lake met on Wednesday with the Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Northern Australia, Gary Gray.
ALGA President meets with Shadow Local Government Minister
ALGA President Cr Geoff Lake met with Shadow Local Government Minister Scott Morrison on Wednesday to discuss constitutional recognition and council reform.
Aviation Green Paper launched by Minister Albanese
The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Anthony Albanese launched the National Aviation Policy Green Paper - Flight Path to the Future - on Tuesday at the National Press Club.

28 November 2008

Hotline for councils to apply for $300 million in community infrastructure funding
The Federal Government has launched the official Information Line to help councils and shires apply for funding through the new Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program (RLCIP).
Opposition Leader addresses National Press Club
The Leader of the Opposition, Malcolm Turnbull, made mention of the Henry Ergas inquiry commissioned by the Coalition to consider tax reform for federal, state and local government as part of his speech to the National Press Club on Monday.
Local government prepares for a pandemic
ALGA and a number of State and Territory Local Government Associations recently participated in the Council of Australian Governments' (COAG) pandemic exercise Sustain 08.

21 November 2008

$300m infrastructure funding welcomed by councils, communities
The Federal Government has received plaudits from a broad range of local government and community organisations, with the announcement of much-needed funding for councils under the new Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program.
National recognition for Australia's best local councils
The winners of the prestigious National Awards for Local Government were announced at Parliament House on Monday night.
Inspirational Australian wins prestigious award
Khoa Do, 2005 Young Australian of the Year, will deliver a keynote speech at the Local Government Constitutional Summit in Melbourne from December 8-11.

14 November 2008

Infrastructure and constitutional recognition top agenda at ACLG
The Federal Government has announced the key discussion themes for 'break-out' sessions at the Australian Council of Local Government meeting next Tuesday
Funding regional and local community infrastructure
The House of Representatives Committee on Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has taken the unusual step of releasing an Interim Report on 5 November even though the final report was due by the 30 November. The Interim Report examines possible administrative arrangements for the proposed Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program (RLCIP).
ALGA President discusses settlement services with Parliamentary Secretary
ALGA President Cr Paul Bell met recently with the Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement, Laurie Ferguson. At the meeting Cr Bell suggested council 'welcome centres' could provide humanitarian entrants with a one-stop shop for information about community and settlement services, particularly in regional areas, and these could assist those who come out under the proposed Pacific Island guest worker scheme.

07 November 2008

Roads to Recovery depreciation - ALGA's advocacy pays off
The ineligibility for funding of the depreciation costs of council equipment used in the construction of Roads to Recovery-funded projects has been a concern for councils, especially councils in Western Australia, for a number of years.
Social impacts of drought hit main-street
The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Tony Burke, has released a report by the Expert Panel on the Social Impacts on Drought.
The 4th Indigenous Road Safety Forum
Almost 80 people including ALGA attended the 4th Indigenous Road Safety Forum held in Cairns from the 29-31 October to examine road safety issues that are specific to Indigenous communities across the country.

31 October 2008

Call for broader federal reform agenda
A conference in Tenterfield at the weekend, coinciding with the anniversary of Sir Henry Parkes' Federation Oration in 1889, has called on the Commonwealth and State Governments to broaden their federalism reform agenda.
Meeting with Parliamentary Secretary Gary Gray
ALGA President Cr Paul Bell met recently with the Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Northern Australia, Gary Gray.
Nationals vote for constitutional recognition
Constitutional recognition for local government was unanimously supported at the Nationals Federal Council meeting last weekend.

24 October 2008

ALGA talks up tax reform
Today, ALGA will appear before the Tax Review Panel, chaired by Dr Ken Henry AC, to discuss the role of local government in Australia's tax system. The Review Panel has been commissioned by the Australian Government to undertake a comprehensive review of Australia's tax system (excluding the GST) and is due to report its findings by the end of 2009. ALGA lodged a submission to the review last week.
ALGA President meets Health Minister
ALGA President Cr Paul Bell met with the Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, at Parliament House on Wednesday.
Planning meeting for Australian Council of Local Government
On Wednesday, ALGA President Cr Paul Bell and the Board met with Local Government Minister Anthony Albanese and Parliamentary Secretary Gary Gray.

17 October 2008

ALGA meets with Attorney-General
ALGA President Cr Paul Bell met with Attorney-General Robert McClelland on Wednesday to discuss the review into mitigation programs being conducted by Emergency Management Australia.
Meeting with new Shadow Local Government Minister
ALGA President Cr Paul Bell met with the new Shadow Minister for Housing and Local Government, Scott Morrison, this week.
Frankston wins Australian Sustainable Cities national title
Frankston came out ahead of a strong field when it won the recent Keep Australia Beautiful, Australian Sustainable Cities National Awards.

10 October 2008

Housing Affordability Fund applications close on October 15
Expressions of interest in the Federal Government's $512 million Housing Affordability Fund close on October 15.
Constitutional Summit - early-bird registration still open
The speakers at this year's Local Government Constitutional Summit will spark insights and challenge your thinking about constitutional recognition of local government.
Cultural Ministers' Meeting
ALGA representative and MAV President Cr Dick Gross attended the recent Australian and New Zealand Cultural Ministers' meeting in Alice Springs. Ministers endorsed the Cultural Ministers Council Strategy which identifies opportunities for collaboration between jurisdictions against five key goals over the next five to ten years.

03 October 2008

ALGA pushes aged care reform at COAG
At the COAG meeting in Perth yesterday, otherwise dominated by the global credit crisis, ALGA President Cr Paul Bell strongly supported the need for local government's role in home and community care to be acknowledged and for service standards to be maintained as part of the any reform of roles and responsibilities between the Commonwealth and the states.
ALGA calls for Government rethink on waste dumps
The Federal Government should follow Professor Garnaut's recommendations to exclude waste dumps from the early stages of a carbon trading scheme, according to the President of the Australian Local Government Association, Cr Paul Bell.
Local government a leader in 'positive ageing'
This week, ALGA issued the results of the 2007 ageing survey it conducted as part of the Australian Local Government Population Ageing Action Plan 2004-2008 initiative (the Plan), which was supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.

26 September 2008

ALGA leads digital economy cheer-squad
ALGA President Cr Paul Bell met with the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, and his staff to discuss the National Broadband Network process, the Broadband Guarantee, and community concerns about pay-phone services.
Strong communities invest in cultural capital
The 'We all Play a Part' campaign is preparing a submission calling on the Federal Government to renew Australia's cultural capital, by investing in local theatres and arts centres across the towns and suburbs of the country.
Australia's cleanest beach winner
Townsville's The Strand is the national winner of the Keep Australia Beautiful Clean Beaches Awards.

19 September 2008

New Australian Council of Local Government
Cr Paul Bell, President of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), welcomed the announcement by the Prime Minister of the establishment of the new Australian Council of Local Government (ACLG) in November, saying it marked a new chapter in Federal-Local Government relations.
Roads to Recovery lauded as bill debated in Parliament
ALGA President Cr Paul Bell has written to all members of the new Senate advocating the smooth passage of the AusLink Bill which provides for the continuation of Roads to Recovery until 2014 and locks in increased funding.
Housing Affordability fund guidelines released
Councils and state governments are eligible for funding under the application guidelines for the Government's new Housing Affordability Fund (HAF) launched this week by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Housing Minister Tanya Plibersek.

12 September 2008

ALGA responds to Green Paper on Climate Change
The Federal Government should follow Garnaut's recommendations to exclude waste dumps from a carbon trading scheme, according to ALGA's submission on the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) Green Paper.
Housing Ministers meet in Canberra
ALGA President Cr Paul Bell joined his Federal, State and Territory Housing Ministerial colleagues on Friday to progress a range of initiatives designed to help combat housing affordability, poor-quality indigenous housing and homelessness.
Canberrans urged to 'get on your bike'
A program to encourage people to make healthier and more sustainable travel services was the overall winner of the 2008 ACT Sustainable Cities Awards announced last week by the Minister for Territory and Municipal Services John Hargreaves, an ALGA Board member.

05 September 2008

Local government calls for a fair share of taxation revenue
The Australia's Future Tax System Review Panel invites submissions as part of the broad strategy for consulting with the Australian community.
Blokey local government culture 'has to change'
The Minister for the Status of Women Tanya Plibersek said that a culture change was needed so that a 'critical mass' of women could move up into management and leadership roles in local government.
Call for 'big-picture' infrastructure ideas
Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese and Infrastructure Australia Chair Sir Rod Eddington have called for the community to put forward ideas for national infrastructure projects.

29 August 2008

Roads to Recovery extended to 2014
The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Mr Anthony Albanese, yesterday introduced into Federal Parliament a Bill to amend the AusLink (National Land Transport) Act 2005 to extend the Roads to Recovery Program to 30 June 2014.
Planning Ministers Reform Group meets
The Local Government and Planning Ministers Council sub-group on planning reform held its first meeting in Sydney on 27 August.
Nation's top public servant outlines importance of local engagement
The Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Terry Moran, addressed a breakfast gathering in Canberra this week on the importance of government developing a corporate culture that values and nurtures innovation.

22 August 2008

Constitutional reform - calm and steady wins the day
ALGA's Constitutional Forum held in Canberra this week provided an opportunity to consider ways to achieve change to the Australian Constitution to better reflect the role of local government. This will feed into debate at the Constitutional Summit in Melbourne from December 8-11.
Impacts of emissions trading on local government
ALGA is commissioning a research paper on the impacts on local government of the emissions cap and trade system as outlined by the Federal Government. The paper will form the basis of ALGA's submission to the Government's Green Paper on a Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.
Local government recommendations on liquor licensing
Local government needs more support to better manage alcohol-related issues and minimise harms through planning, licensing and regulatory functions, according to the National Local Government Drug and Alcohol Advisory Committee (NLGDAAC).

15 August 2008

Ministers warm to planning reform in cold Hobart
Local Government and Planning Ministers agreed to measures to accelerate planning reform at the 7th meeting of the Local Government and Planning Ministers Council (LGPMC) in Hobart on 13 August.
Disaster planning for local government
ALGA, State Associations, and several local council representatives attended pandemic exercise workshops around the country as part of Exercise Sustain 08, designed to enhance Australia's capacity to deal with such a national disaster.
The artistic heart of a community is local government
Local government arts and performing venues are "the cultural hubs that feed life and creativity into the community," according to the CEO of the Australian Performing Arts Centres Association (APACA), Rick Heath.

08 August 2008

28 councils sign funding agreements for Regional Partnerships
Twenty-eight councils have successfully signed funding agreements with the Federal Government for community infrastructure projects promised under the disbanded Regional Partnerships program, with four still completing negotiations.
Taxation review discussion paper released
ALGA welcomed the release this week by Treasury Secretary Dr Ken Henry AC (pictured) of the first Discussion Paper on the review of Australia's Future Tax System.
The innovation of NSW councils highlighted at awards
A water education program, a bike recycling project and an informative community newsletter were some of the projects recognised at the annual Local Government Week Awards evening held at Parramatta Park last week.

01 August 2008

Councils urged to apply for natural disaster mitigation funds
ALGA President Cr Paul Bell has urged local government to apply for funding under the Natural Disaster Mitigation Program for 2008-09.
Score points for the environment
To help celebrate Keep Australia Beautiful Week, which kicks off on Monday 25th August, local councils are being encouraged to participate in the Score points for the Environment challenge, to help tackle climate change and protect natural resources.
Local government assists its neighbours
ALGA President Cr Paul Bell met with the Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, Bob McMullan, at Parliament House earlier this year to discuss the Government's approach to foreign aid and how local government could be further engaged.

25 July 2008

ALGA addresses Senate Committee on fiscal relations
This morning ALGA addressed the Senate Select Committee on State Government Financial Management which is focusing on Commonwealth and state and territory fiscal relations and financial management.
ALGA responds to Housing Affordability Fund Consultation Paper
ALGA's submission to the Federal Government's Housing Affordability Fund Consultation Paper underlines the effects of housing affordability stress on many households and its adverse impacts on the effective functioning of local and regional communities.
National Aviation Policy Statement
Nearly 40 councils, local government associations and community groups have responded to the Federal Government's discussion paper on a National Aviation Policy Statement.

18 July 2008

Minister Wong announces climate change Green Paper - submissions open
ALGA is preparing a submission to the Federal Government following the release of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme Green Paper on Wednesday by the Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong.
Regional infrastructure funding - your chance to have a say
ALGA's submission to the Inquiry into a New Regional Development Funding Program was sent to the House of Representatives Infrastructure and Regional Development Committee this week for consideration.
Ministerial Council on Immigration and Multicultural Affairs
The Ministerial Council on Immigration and Multicultural Affairs met in Perth recently. The meeting was chaired by the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans.

11 July 2008

The Garnaut Report and Local Government
There has been a great deal of media speculation over the past week about the Emissions Trading Schemes (ETS) and the Garnaut Climate Change Review.
Community infrastructure promotes active living
ALGA, together with the National Heart Foundation and the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA), has provided a tripartite submission to the Inquiry into Obesity, which is being conducted by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health and Ageing.
Greens weigh in on climate change
Greens Leader Senator Bob Brown laid down the gauntlet for the Government and the Opposition at the National Press Club this week, with a steely resolve to use the party's Senate numbers to force through tough emissions targets.

04 July 2008

ALGA President attends COAG
ALGA President Cr Paul Bell attended the meeting of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) in Sydney yesterday.
Grain Lines response provides 'some hope'
The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Anthony Albanese, has rejected ALGA's call for a national approach for grain transportation, whilst providing some hope for further federal assistance to upgrade grain lines.
ALGA's submission to the Aviation Policy Review
ALGA's submission to the Federal Government's review of national aviation policy calls for an assessment of the costs of council ownership of airports; a more balanced approach that recognises the level of security risk in regional aviation and provides an ongoing commitment to subsidies for aviation services to remote communities.

27 June 2008

ALGA President meets with Local Government Minister
ALGA President Cr Paul Bell met with the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Anthony Albanese, at Parliament House last week.
Meeting with Housing Minister Tanya Plibersek
ALGA President Cr Paul met with Housing Minister Tanya Plibersek last Thursday at Parliament House to discuss the Government's Housing Affordability Fund and electronic Development Assessment initiative to flag local government's views on implementation.
Meeting with Senator Alan Eggleston
Cr Bell met with Senator Alan Eggleston, the former Mayor of Pt Hedland, last week in his Parliament House office.

20 June 2008

R2R allocations, depreciation of equipment discussed at Roads Congress
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to Roads to Recovery (R2R) at the National Local Roads and Transport Conference in Shepparton this week.
Truss outlines transport challenges facing Australia
Nationals Leader and Infrastructure, Transport and Local Government Shadow Minister, Warren Truss, outlined the transport challenges facing all spheres of government at the National Local Roads and Transport Congress.
Fischer calls for balance between road and rail
Former deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer argued for a rethink of Australia's freight system and how the use of rail could be maximised at ALGA's National Local Roads and Transport Congress this week.

13 June 2008

Councils vie for a slice of $100 million for Coastcare
Councils are reminded that applications close at 5.00 pm Friday 25 July 2008 for the Community Coastcare grants.
Local Government recognised in Queen's birthday honours
Local government stood out this week in the Queen's birthday honours with serving and former mayors and councillors receiving awards across a range of categories.
ALGA President meets head of Opposition's federalism taskforce
ALGA President Cr Paul Bell recently met with Kevin Andrews MP, the head of the Opposition's federalism taskforce, to discuss local government's view of its role in the federation.

06 June 2008

A place in the sun for local government
Constitutional recognition is the 'hot topic' at the moment for councils around Australia.
Inquiry into a new regional development funding program
ALGA President Cr Paul Bell met with Independent MP Tony Windsor last week to discuss local government's interest in regional development funding and in developing a new transparent and accountable model.
ALGA President meets with Opposition Local Government Spokeswoman
ALGA President Cr Paul Bell met last week with the Shadow Parliamentary Secretary on Local Government, Sophie Mirabella, to discuss local government's constitutional recognition summit in December 2008 and the 'council conversations' which are currently taking place.

30 May 2008

ALGA President meets with Attorney-General
ALGA President Cr Paul Bell met with the Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, this week to discuss local government's concern about the extension of the Natural Disaster Mitigation Program for only one year.
ALGA President urges Govt to extend Grain Rail Task Force to other states
ALGA President Cr Paul Bell has written to the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Anthony Albanese, seeking an expansion of the Grain Rail Task Force to include other wheatbelt states, in addition to NSW.
End of June deadline for submissions to broadband review
The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Stephen Conroy, has written to ALGA inviting submissions from local government relating to broadband solutions for rural and remote areas outside the coverage of the National Broadband Network.

23 May 2008

Former local councillor appointed to board of Infrastructure Australia
ALGA President Cr Paul Bell has welcomed the appointment of Professor Peter Newman to the Infrastructure Australia Advisory Council.
Dealing with the Media at ALGA's Roads and Transport Congress
It is only three weeks to the Congress. There has been a good response from councils registering to attend. There are however still vacancies available.
Australian councils called on to help PNG local government
Expressions of interest have been called from Australian councils to partner with PNG councils for a capacity building program at local government to local government level.

16 May 2008

ALGA's policy agenda taken up in 2008-09 Federal Budget
The President of the Australian Local Government Association, Cr Paul Bell, has welcomed the endorsement of many of ALGA's pre-Budget proposals in the Federal Budget 2008-09.
ALGA ready to work with Govt on local community infrastructure
The President of the Australian Local Government Association, Cr Paul Bell, has applauded the Federal Government's announcement in this week's Budget that a Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program will be established from 2009-10.
Transport Funding - 2008-09 Federal Budget
The first Rudd Government Budget locks in the funding increases for the AusLink program announced in the 2007 Budget. This is in line with Labor's promises during the election campaign to maintain AusLink funding, including for the Roads Recovery Program.

09 May 2008

PM outlines role for Local Government in affordable housing
In a wide-ranging speech to the Housing Industry Association, the Prime Ministrer, Mr Kevin Rudd, has reaffirmed the Commonwealth's commitment to a Housing Affordability Fund - and a big role for local government.
Australian Transport Council meeting report
Australian, State and Territory Transport Ministers, the New Zealand Minister for Transport Safety and the President of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) met in Melbourne last Friday to consider a range of national infrastructure and transport issues.
Barcaldine's Tree of Knowledge Lives On
Barcaldine Regional Council, in Queensland's central west, has been presented with 35 clones and cuttings of the historic Tree of Knowledge as part of the State's Labour Day celebrations.

02 May 2008

ALGA puts the Budget case for local government
In a cogently argued 2008/2009 Budget submission to the Commonwealth, ALGA President, Cr. Paul Bell, says local government continues to demonstrate its ability to deliver services directly to Australian communities.
Truss attending Roads Congress
The leader of the National Party and Opposition spokesman on transport, Warren Truss, will be speaking at the National Local Roads and Transport Congress to be held in Shepparton, Victoria, from 15-17 June 2008.
Minister comes out strongly in support of local govt
The federal minister responsible for local government, Anthony Albanese, this week made one of the strongest Commonwealth government statements on record in support of local government.

24 April 2008

Greater recognition of local government to flow from 2020 Summit
ALGA President, Cr Paul Bell, foresees a greater recognition of the role of local government - and its importance to Australian life - flowing from the 2020 Summit.
The 2020 Summit and local government at a glance
The ALGA was one of 3,600 individuals or groups that made almost 8, 800 submissions to the Australia2020 Summit convened by the Prime Minister on 19 and 20 April in Canberra.
Productivity Commission Report on local government revenue-raising capacity
The Productivity Commission Report, released on April 17, presents 29 findings about the capacity of local governments to raise own-source revenue.

18 April 2008

Launch of Constitutional Recognition Website
Recognition in the Australian Constitution is one of the most important challenges facing local government today. It is an issue that we need to manage properly if we are to maximise our chance of success.
2020 Summit - This weekend
This weekend (April 19-20) ALGA President Cr Paul Bell will be attending the 2020 Summit in Canberra.
Review of National Aviation Policy
The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, the Hon Anthony Albanese, has released an Issues Paper and announced a review of National Aviation Policy.

11 April 2008

ALGA President writes to Minister on broadband roll-out
ALGA President Cr Paul Bell has strongly backed a timely, cost-effective and extensive roll-out of high-speed broadband in a letter sent this week to the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy.
Launch of Constitutional Recognition Website
ALGA will launch its Constitutional Recognition website on April 18. The website will provide material for councils to undertake conversations which will feed into the Constitutional Summit in Melbourne in December 2008.
Councils lead the way in climate change
Last Friday, ALGA attended the COAG Climate Change and Water Working Group Adaptation Sub-Group meeting.

04 April 2008

Ministers support the role of the Natural Disaster Mitigation Program
Mayor Cr Barry Easter, representing the President of ALGA, attended the first Ministerial Council for Police and Emergency Services in Canberra 26th March 2008, chaired by Attorney-General Robert McClelland.
Review of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport
ALGA has provided critical comments on the draft report of the Review of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport being conducted by the Federal Government.
First-ever State of Regions launch at Parliament House
Over 70 MPs and Senators from all sides of politics, and ALGA stakeholders, attended a briefing at Parliament House recently on the 2007-08 State of the Regions Report.

28 March 2008

Council of Australian Governments meets in Adelaide
ALGA President Cr Paul Bell attended the COAG meeting in Adelaide on 26 March 2008. While the focus of the meeting was on major Commonwealth/State issues such as Health and Hospitals and Specific Purpose Payments (SPPs) to the states, there were some important developments for local government.
ALGA President urges Government to 'reconsider' environment cuts
ALGA President Cr Paul Bell made urgent representations to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Peter Garrett, and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Tony Burke, about the Government's decision to slash funding to the Local Government Natural Resource Management Facilitator Network.
ALGA Board meets with the Hon Gary Gray MP
Members of the ALGA Board held discussions with the Hon Gary Gray MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Northern Australia, on Wednesday 19 March.

14 March 2008

ALGA calls for NRM funding certainty
ALGA President Cr Paul Bell wrote recently to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd regarding the continuing uncertainty of funding for national natural resource management programs.
President's plea for constitutional recognition
In a passionate plea for Constitutional recognition for local government, the ALGA President Cr Paul Bell said the lack of recognition for local government in the Constitution is 'one of the fatal flaws in the federation and it's something that really needs to be fixed.'
ALGA spreads word about breast cancer research
The Chair of the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Ros Kelly, addressed a Parliamentary breakfast yesterday to raise awareness of breast cancer research initiatives.

07 March 2008

ALGA President welcomes $30 million for eDAs
ALGA President Cr Paul Bell has welcomed an announcement by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd of a Government investment of up to $30 million to roll-out nationally electronic development assessments (eDAs) and online tracking services to streamline planning approvals and cut the cost of new homes.
Roads Congress - securing the first mile
This year's National Local Roads and Transport Congress will follow closely after the Rudd Government's first budget in May.
International Women's Day - local government needs you!
Thousands of women across Australia will commemorate International Women's Day tomorrow with many events taking on a sombre and reflective tone as despite progress that has been made, women are reminded of the huge task ahead.

29 February 2008

National Constitutional Summit - 8-11 December 2008, Melbourne
The achievement of formal recognition remains one of the most cherished goals of local government, so we can finally take a seat at the federalism table as an equal partner with the states and the Commonwealth.
ALGA President to attend 2020 Summit - Women and men of local government encouraged to nominate
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has invited ALGA President Cr Paul Bell to attend the Australia 2020 Summit at Parliament House in Canberra on 19 and 20 April 2008.
Indigenous leader calls for better infrastructure and services for remote communities
Indigenous leader and former Australian of the Year Galarrwuy Yunupingu has vowed to hold the Federal Government accountable for providing basic infrastructure.

22 February 2008

Minister Albanese addresses National Press Club
ALGA welcomed the Government's commitment to infrastructure and the details of the establishment of Infrastructure Australia in a speech by the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Anthony Albanese, at the National Press Club on Wednesday 20 February.
President meets with Minister Plibersek on housing affordability
ALGA President Cr Paul Bell met this week with the Commonwealth Minister for Housing and the Status of Women, Tanya Plibersek, to discuss the important issue of housing affordability.
ALGA raises concerns about Productivity Draft Report findings
ALGA has raised concerns about the findings of the Productivity Commission's Draft Report Assessing Local Government Revenue Raising Capacity in its comments on the report provided to the Productivity Commission this week.

15 February 2008

History made as Federal Parliament apologises to Stolen Generations
Indigenous adults and children gave federal parliamentarians a long standing ovation after MPs formally apologised on Wednesday for the pain and suffering inflicted on the stolen generations.
ALGA's 2008-09 Budget Submission
ALGA President Cr Paul Bell has urged the Federal Government to address the financial relationship between local government and the Commonwealth in the upcoming May Budget.
$2.2 million safety upgrades for remote airstrips
The Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Anthony Albanese, announced on February 8 funding of $991,000 for remote airstrip projects with a total value of $2.2 million.

08 February 2008

First meetings of 3 COAG working groups
ALGA has participated in recent COAG climate change, housing and infrastructure working group meetings. These working groups were part of the seven established at the COAG meeting on 20 December 2007.
$150 million damage bill after Queensland floods
Recent flooding has cost local government $59 million, and the Queensland economy at least $150 million.
Cr Helen Scott OAM JP
The National Secretary of the Australian Local Government Women's Association, Cr Helen Scott, is one of 26 local government recipients of awards in the 2008 Australian Day Honours List.
 
Page last updated: 18 December 2008