By Angela Dorizas Councils in South Australia can expect to see additional funding for local roads under a Coalition Government, the Local Government Association (LGA) has said. LGA president, Mayor Felicity-ann Lewis said the commitment from Shadow Minister for Trade, Transport and Local Government, Warren Truss, to address the local roads funding shortfall was welcomed by […]
19 August, 2010
By Angela Dorizas In the lead-up to the Federal election, the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has reminded major parties to consider its ten-point plan of local government policy priorities. The document outlines local government’s demands of both major political parties, including a review of local government revenue, continuation of the Regional and Local Community […]
19 August, 2010
By Angela Dorizas The Coalition’s plan to cut 12,000 jobs from the Australian Public Service will have a major impact on regional economies, according to research by an independent think-tank. In a policy paper released on Tuesday, the Australia Institute warned that the Coalition’s two-year hiring freeze would negatively impact on regions with the highest […]
18 August, 2010
South Australian councils have called for both parties to support a Parliamentary inquiry into local government revenue. In a direct appeal ahead of next week’s federal election, the Local Government Association of South Australia (LGA) said that ongoing concern regarding federal powers to fund community initiatives via local government made Constitutional reform vital to communities […]
16 August, 2010
Both sides of politics need to better explain their plans for managing issues associated with population growth before polling day, the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) has said. LGAQ president, Cr Paul Bell, said little had been said about population growth since the start of the election campaign. “The public deserves to get the […]
16 August, 2010
By Angela Dorizas The Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW have welcomed the Government's election commitment to investigate the feasability of a high speed rail line connecting Melbourne and Brisbane. Minister for Infrastructure, Anthony Albanese, announced last week that a re-elected Labor Government would undertake a detailed feasibility study to determine the economic viability […]
10 August, 2010
By Angela Dorizas A re-elected Labor Government would establish a new advisory board to scrutinise practices of the Australian Taxation Office, the Assistant Treasurer, Senator Nick Sherry, has announced. In an address to the Australian Economic Forum in Sydney on Thursday, Senator Sherry said the Federal Government would establish a Tax System Advisory Board within […]
5 August, 2010
By Angela Dorizas The independent audit into the Federal Government's regional and local community infrastructure program was "politically motivated", the head of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has said. ALGA president Geoff Lake slammed the report by the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) as lacking balance and objectivity. “I can’t understand why a report of […]
2 August, 2010
By Angela Dorizas Projects that harvest and reuse stormwater are set to receive an increase in funding, with both major parties pledging to cover a greater share of development costs. Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Minister for Water, Penny Wong, announced on Wednesday that the national Stormwater Harvesting and Reuse program would receive a $100 […]
30 July, 2010
By Angela Dorizas The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) estimates that more than 1.4 Australians who are eligible to vote in the Federal election will not be enrolled in time and therefore disqualified from participating. The majority of these are young Australians, some of whom are unaware that Australia has a democratic system of government. The Constitution […]
23 July, 2010
A political expert from the University of Western Sydney says a citizens' assembly on climate change could become a fantastic asset for the Australian Government, if their views are seriously considered in policy-making. Prime Minister Julia Gillard today outlined her plan to convene a citizens' assembly to examine the evidence on climate change and the […]
23 July, 2010
By Angela Dorizas Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has announced that a Coalition Government would introduce a $1.2 billion package of expenditure reductions in order to bring the budget back into surplus. A Coalition Government would axe a number of environmental programs, including the Green Building Fund, Retooling for Climate Change Initiative and the $200 […]
20 July, 2010
By Angela Dorizas Prime Minister Julia Gillard has refuted claims that she would cut the public service to pay for election commitments. Ms Gillard last week announced that there would be “unpopular cutbacks” to fund future policies and return the budget to surplus within three years. Speaking in Brisbane on Sunday, Ms Gillard reassured government […]
20 July, 2010
By Angela Dorizas A re-elected Labor Government would provide $200 million to boost housing in regional communities and relieve pressure on capital cities. Speaking in Brisbane on Sunday, Ms Gillard announced that Labor would make available funding to councils to help fast track the construction of around 15,000 new homes. Ms Gillard said the Building […]
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