Fair funding top issue as local government leaders gather in Canberra
3 November 2004
Around 650 local government delegates will gather in Canberra for the 11th National General Assembly of Local Government to be held at the National Convention Centre on 7-10 November. A one day Regional Cooperation and Development Forum will be held on Sunday 7 November.
Key issues at the General Assembly will include the need for a fair funding deal for local government, progress on implementation of the Fair Share report on cost shifting and local government financing, infrastructure, transport, environment and ageing issues. Highlights include:
Regional Cooperation and Development Forum
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 9.30 | Opening address, ALGA President, Cr Mike Montgomery |
| 9.50 | Prof Brendan Gleeson, Griffith University - Keynote address |
| 10.40 | Kelvin Thomson MP, Shadow Minister for Regional Development and Roads, Housing and Urban Development |
| 11.30 | Dr Peter Brain, Executive Director, National Economics - State of the Regions Report |
| 12.30 | Media conference: Launch of 2004-05 State of the Regions report. Murray Room, National Convention Centre, Canberra |
| 1.20 | Dr Craig Shepherd, National Economics - Infrastructure Issues Workshop |
| 3.30 | Structural Ageing Session - A Year of the Built Environment Initiative |
National General Assembly of Local Government
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 9.00 | Opening ceremony and President's address by Cr Mike Montgomery |
| 9.45 | Professor Dean Jaensch, Flinders University - Governance, recognition, status, authority: the possibilities for local government |
| 11.00 | Concurrent sessions - debate on motions on population and ageing and local government financing |
| 3.30 | Mr Peter Kaliaropoulos, Managing Director, Optus Business - Sustaining success: challenges in a changing landscape |
| 3.45 | Local Government - Future Directions: Dr Rosemary Kiss, Centre for Public Policy, Melbourne University, Mr Matthew Reilly, author, Mayor Joy Leishman, Caboolture Shire Council, Queensland |
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 9.00 | Concurrent symposia - sustainable transport, social policy/ageing, connecting local government, The Fourth R - Radiation |
| 11.00 | Dr Hugh Mackay, social researcher and author - Is The Tide Turning? |
| 1.30 | Senator Kerry O'Brien, Shadow Minister for Regional Services, Local Government and Territories |
| 3.30 | Concurrent symposia - Participate, regulate, facilitate!, Integrated Coastal Zone Management, Planning and Development |
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 9.00 | Hon Jim Lloyd MP, Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads |
| 9.30 | Constitutional Recognition, Professor Dean Jaensch, Flinders University, Kerry Corke, legislative consultant, Mayor John Trainer, West Torrens City Council, South Australia |
| 11.00 | The Federal Political Landscape: Grahame Morris, Jackson Wells, Morris, Bob Hogg, Issues Management Consultant |
| 12.00 | Closing address by the Prime Minister, Hon John Howard MP |
All General Assembly and Regional Cooperation and Development Forum sessions will take place at the National Convention Centre in Canberra.
