See also: 2005 National General Assembly
600 mayors and councillors rally
600 mayors, councillors rally for fair funding, fair treatment and formal recognition
More than 600 local council leaders and representatives from across the country rallied in Canberra today in support of fair funding, fair treatment and formal recognition of local government.
The rally, held as part of the National General Assembly of Local Government (Canberra, 7-10 November), also condemned the practice of cost shifting by state and federal governments, a practice that costs local government between $500m and $1.1bn each year.
Addressing the rally, ALGA President, Cr Paul Bell, said the Federal Government had done much to support local government over the past few years. But while this was much appreciated, fundamental reform was needed to the system of financial assistance grants to local government.
"We want the major parties to agree to overhaul these grants - they are simply not keeping pace with the increasing costs of providing services, let alone meeting the demand for new and expanded services from our communities," Cr Bell said.
"Local government is also facing a massive repair and maintenance bill for its ageing infrastructure. Much of local government infrastructure dates from the post-WW II period and is in need of major maintenance or renewal.
"If we are to properly support our 21st century communities, we need fair federal funding.
"Annual changes to financial assistance grants ($1.6bn a year) to local government are based on CPI and population changes. This is simply not matching the sharp increase in costs we face.
"The value of financial assistance grants, as a proportion of total Commonwealth revenue, will have fallen from 1.2% in the early 1990s to less than 1% by 1996-97. In two years time, it is projected to fall to less than 0.8%.
"While Commonwealth revenue grows - the value of our funding falls.
"Local government also calls on state and federal governments to support a strong and robust intergovernmental agreement (IGA) to stop cost shifting once and for all.
"Work has already begun on an IGA - and we've made good progress to date. But we want to make sure the agreement is a robust one that makes a real difference on the ground, and not a document full of fine words that delivers no change.
"Federal Parliament is likely to formally recognise the role played by local government later this year.
"We see this as an important first step towards full constitutional recognition of local government within the Australian Constitution.
"Such a move is vital if local government is to play its full role as a valued and equal partner within the Australian Federation.
"Local government will campaign over the next two years in the lead up to the 2007 federal election to secure commitments from the major parties for fair funding, fair treatment and formal recognition," Cr Bell said.
Rally photos: High resolution photos of the rally are available in the ALGA Newsroom - see Photos
Motion passed at rally
That this rally of local government representatives from across Australia calls for:
- Fair federal funding for local government
- Fair treatment of local government by state and federal governments
- Formal recognition of local government in the Australian Constitution
This rally also condemns the practice of cost shifting in all its forms and calls on all jurisdictions to develop a meaningful intergovernmental agreement that puts an end to cost shifting once and for all.
Further, this rally calls for a two-year campaign by local government to press home these objectives.
- Contact:
- Cr Paul Bell AM, ALGA President - 0418 791 596
- Rohan Greenland, ALGA Public Affairs - 0412 85 9434 / 02 6122 9434
