By Julian Bajkowski Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard and her erstwhile Industry Minister Greg Combet might want local governments to buy Australian-made vehicles to support the domestic manufacturing, but it's a very different story for the cars that closely tail the PM's official marque plated C*1. Less than a fortnight after top level pressure was […]
27 June, 2013
By Paul Hemsley The internet might deliver news and events in close to real time but it looks like Australia’s fast moving political landscapes can even outrun the world’s biggest search engine. After a tumultuous 12 hours that had Kevin Rudd topple Julia Gillard as Labor leader and reinstalled as Prime Minister, Google is apparently […]
27 June, 2013
By Julian Bajkowski Legislation to make a local government referendum on 14th September has finally cleared the Senate amid a widening split in the Coalition that resulted in seven members of the Opposition cross the floor to vote against the bill and at least as many abstaining. The last minute bid to shoot down referendum […]
25 June, 2013
By Julian Bajkowski Embattled Prime Minister Julia Gillard has bluntly warned Australia’s 560 councils and shires that the forthcoming referendum on Constitutional recognition for local government will be their final chance to guarantee direct funding for projects from Canberra. Speaking at the opening of the 2013 National General Assembly for Local Government in Canberra, Ms […]
17 June, 2013
By Julian Bajkowski A referendum that could give financial uncertainty to federally funded local government projects like Roads to Recovery is again in doubt after another outbreak of internal attacks within the Labor that threaten to topple Prime Minister Julia Gillard. Less than week after crucial legislation to hold a referendum finally cleared the House […]
11 June, 2013
By Julian Bajkowski The final report of the Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition of Local Government has recommended that a referendum be put to electors at the 14th September 2013 federal election despite the relatively short lead-time, but support within the Coalition could be fracturing along Liberal and National party lines. After previously reserving […]
7 March, 2013
By Julian Bajkowski Brisbane and Ballarat have become the latest local government areas to get the eligibility tick of approval under the federally funded Digital Hubs program, as Communications Minister Stephen Conroy plays Santa and continues the government’s non-stop charm offensive to spruik the National Broadband Network. The Hubs are a pivotal part of the […]
19 December, 2012
Special Minister of State, Gary Gray, has vehemently rejected claims by the head the Business Council of Australia, Jennifer Westacott, that inexperienced and meddlesome ministerial staffers are eroding the quality of policy development and public administration. In an angry rebuke to Ms Westacott’s speech and proposed public service improvements last week, Mr Gray has accused […]
25 September, 2012
By Angela Dorizas The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has welcomed Julia Gillard as the Prime Minister designate and thanked former prime minister Kevin Rudd for his work with local government. “Julia Gillard will make an excellent Prime Minister and we look forward to working closely with her,” ALGA president, Cr Geoff Lake, told Government News. […]
24 June, 2010
By Angela Dorizas Julia Gillard has become Australia’s first female Prime Minister, following a successful leadership challenge against Kevin Rudd. Labor MPs and senators gathered at Parliament House this morning for a ballot to decide which leader would take them to the next federal election. Labor Party whip Senator Michael Forshaw emerged from the caucus […]
24 June, 2010
Brewarrina and Byron shire councils in New South Wales have received a National Award for Excellence in the National Local Government Awards. The Awards were announced on Thursday by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Local Government Minister Anthony Albanese at the Australian Council of Local Government dinner, held at Parliament House. Brewarrina Shire Council was awarded […]
18 June, 2010
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd addressing a meeting of local government in Canberra. Image: ACLG. By Angela Dorizas Local government will receive $100 million in federal funding for regional and local community infrastructure. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced the new funding at the Australian Council of Local Government (ACLG) meeting at Parliament House in […]
18 June, 2010
By Angela Dorizas The Federal Government has thrown its weight behind local government’s campaign for constitutional recognition. In an address to the Australian Council of Local Government (ACLG) on Friday, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said he was committed to pursuing a referendum on formal recognition of local government in the Australian Constitution. “Before we took […]
18 June, 2010
Capital city strategic planning systems will be reviewed by a new expert panel, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has announced. In an address to the Australian Council of Local Government (ACLG) on Thursday, Mr Rudd said the panel will support the COAG Reform Council in its review of planning systems to ensure they meet the agreed […]
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