Fair Share Report: Background/timeline
2000
ALGA lobbies Federal Government on cost shifting
2001
Coalition promises cost shifting inquiry in lead up to October 2001 federal election
2002
Local Government Minister Wilson Tuckey asks House of Representatives Economics, Finance and Public Administration Committee to inquire into 'local government and cost shifting'.
Terms of reference require inquiry to be "conducted on the basis that the outcomes will be budget neutral for the Commonwealth".
406 submissions received - further 108 responses received to a discussion paper released by the committee
2003
Committee report - Rates and Taxes: A fair share for responsible local government - is tabled in Federal Parliament. It has bipartisan support.
Committee Chairman, David Hawker, addresses General Assembly of Local Government in Canberra.
Key findings:
"There is no doubt that local government has, over a number of years, been on the wrong end of cost shifting largely by state governments."
"Cost shifting can be seen as a symptom of the current weakness in our system and it is the responsibility of all spheres of government to address the matter."
David Hawker MP, Foreword to the Report
Estimated impact of cost shifting: $500m to $1.1bn a year
18 recommendations - key recommendations include:
- Develop an intergovernmental agreement to counter cost shifting
- Address state restrictions on local government revenue raising
- Formal recognition of local government by the House of Representatives
- COAG summit to advance the agenda
2004
Local Government Minister Ian Campbell holds roundtable meeting with local government associations and state ministers to discuss the report
2005
Local Government Minister Jim Lloyd releases formal response to the report
