Call to arms – Councils to rally in Canberra
7 October 2005
Australian Local Government Association President, Cr Paul Bell, has called on all councils to rally in Canberra next month to send a clear message to state and federal governments - local government is facing severe financial pressure and needs concerted action to get it fixed.
The call comes in today’s edition of ALGA News, distributed to councils across Australia.
"All councils are urged to attend the National General Assembly of Local Government in Canberra (7-10 November)," Cr Bell said.
"We need to use the Assembly as a rallying point to exert pressure on all state and federal governments for fair funding, fair treatment and formal recognition. In particular, we need to send a clear message on the intergovernmental agreement to stop cost shifting.
"This must be a robust agreement - not a weak one that has little impact on the ground. And we must press home the need for fair funding. We must build momentum for a new funding deal for local government.
"We need access to growth funding that reflects the increasing costs and demands faced by councils. The Australian Government has been listening to local government. It has acted on a range of issues.
"But we must now build momentum to ensure both the Government and the Opposition commit themselves to the big one - fair funding," Cr Bell said.
Full details of the National General Assembly can be found on the ALGA website: http://nga.alga.asn.au/
- Contact:
- Cr Paul Bell AM, ALGA President - 0418 791 596
- Rohan Greenland, ALGA Public Affairs - 0412 85 9434 / 02 6122 9434
