As the peak body representing local government in Australia, ALGA makes numerous submissions and presentations to a broad range of organisations and bodies. These include:
- Parliamentary committees conducting inquiries of interest and relevance to local government
- National organisations conducting inquiries and studies, such as the Productivity Commission
- Political parties and individual parliamentarians
- The Australian Government, its ministers, departments and agencies
- International bodies and agencies
These submissions advance the interests of local government and address issues of concern to councils and the communities they collectively serve.
- First home ownership
- 24 October 2003
In Australia, local government is established under state/territory legislation and its structures, powers and functions are determined by that legislation. In all jurisdictions in the last 10-15 years, the relevant legislation creating and regulating local government has been reviewed and significantly amended or replaced with new legislation that gives local councils greater general competence powers. - Federal Budget submission 2004-05
- 22 October 2003
Since 1996, the Howard Government has demonstrated a willingness to support local government as an essential partner within Australia's federal system of government. Australian local government is committed to a co-operative relationship based on mutual respect and recognition of the contribution made to the national good by both spheres of government. The principle aim of this submission is to focus on the need to improve the financial relations between the Australian Government and local government. - Senate Economics References Committee
- 9 May 2003
There is an urgent need to reform the current tax sharing arrangements between the Commonwealth and local government. The introduction of the "New Tax System" (and the resulting Intergovernmental Agreement) in July 2000 restructured and improved the financial relationship between the Commonwealth and the states and territories. Future intergovernmental financial reform must address the unfair financial relationship between the Commonwealth and local government as a matter of urgency. - Cost Shifting Inquiry discussion paper: ALGA response
- 11 March 2003
Letter to Chairman of the House of Representatives committee inquiring into cost-shifting, Mr David Hawker, responding to the discussion paper released by the committee on 14 February. - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade discussion paper on GATS: ALGA response
- 26 February 2003
ALGA is responding to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) discussion paper on Australia's initial offer to extend commitments to other members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). Local government is concerned that its regulatory and administrative powers may be diminished as a result of GATS negotiations in some of the service areas outlined in the discussion paper. - Cost Shifting inquiry: Supplementary submission
- 12 February 2003
Supplementary submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics, Finance and Public Administration inquiry into cost-shifting by state governments to local government. - Federal Budget submission 2003-04
- 12 February 2003
ALGA understands that this Budget will focus on security and counter-terrorism matters. Given those priorities, we ask that the Budget also address a range of critical issues confronting local communities throughout Australia. These issues need to be addressed sooner rather than later. In these times of uncertainty, drought and bushfire, it is crucial that we strengthen and increase the resilience of Australian communities. - AusLink
- 4 February 2003
ALGA supports the need to establish clear funding mechanisms for the development of regional infrastructure. However, local government is opposed to any mechanism that would mandate the diversion of scarce local government funds for regional transport infrastructure or into a general funding pool.
