❓ Hon Murray Criddle asks about actions taken after a 2004 meeting regarding local government support frameworks, and whether the state will provide legal advice to councils struggling with regulatory compliance due to resource constraints. The Minister responds by outlining the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) signed in 2006 and ongoing consultation processes.
AnsweredQoN 469Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS - COMPLIANCE
The minister will be aware that local government authorities are finding it increasingly difficult to comply with many services, functions and tasks expected of them by the state and federal governments. (1) Can the minister advise what action has been taken following a meeting of the Local Government and Planning Ministers Council on 13 February 2004 to “identify the required supporting and administrative frameworks between the levels of government”? (2) Is the state government willing to provide legal advice to local government authorities unable to comply with regulatory and non-regulatory functions asked of them by the state government due to inadequate resources? Hon JON FORD
The minister will be aware that local government authorities are finding it increasingly difficult to comply with many services, functions and tasks expected of them by the state and federal governments. (1) Can the minister advise what action has been taken following a meeting of the Local Government and Planning Ministers Council on 13 February 2004 to “identify the required supporting and administrative frameworks between the levels of government”? (2) Is the state government willing to provide legal advice to local government authorities unable to comply with regulatory and non-regulatory functions asked of them by the state government due to inadequate resources? Hon JON FORD
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The intergovernmental agreement between the Australian state and territory governments and the Australian Local Government Association was signed by the Western Australian government on 21 April 2006. The IGA was developed in response to the November 2003 report of the House of Representatives’ Standing Committee on Economics, Finance and Public Administration, “Rates and Taxes: A Fair Share for Local Government”. This report recommended the development of an IGA to address the issue of cost shifting onto local government. The Local Government and Planning Ministers Council discussed the committee’s report at its meeting on 13 February 2004 and in June gave in-principle support for the development of an IGA on local government relations. The objectives of the IGA include providing for greater financial transparency between the three spheres of government on local government services and functions. In addition, the IGA aims to improve the relationship and consultation between governments on local government matters. The IGA does not attempt to define cost shifting but addresses it by obtaining in-principle agreement from governments that when a responsibility is devolved to local government, local government is consulted and the financial and other impacts on local government are taken into account. (2) Local governments also receive substantial financial support from the state and commonwealth governments. Specific requests for funding are considered from time to time. I have given a commitment to local government to carry out a number of major consultation processes in relation to the IGA to look at these specific issues. It is also the main agenda item for the ministerial council meeting in August. I intend to consult with WALGA and I am already talking to local governments on those specific issues.
(1) Can the minister advise what action has been taken following a meeting of the Local Government and Planning Ministers Council on 13 February 2004 to “identify the required supporting and administrative frameworks between the levels of government”? (2) Is the state government willing to provide legal advice to local government authorities unable to comply with regulatory and non-regulatory functions asked of them by the state government due to inadequate resources? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The intergovernmental agreement between the Australian state and territory governments and the Australian Local Government Association was signed by the Western Australian government on 21 April 2006. The IGA was developed in response to the November 2003 report of the House of Representatives’ Standing Committee on Economics, Finance and Public Administration, “Rates and Taxes: A Fair Share for Local Government”. This report recommended the development of an IGA to address the issue of cost shifting onto local government. The Local Government and Planning Ministers Council discussed the committee’s report at its meeting on 13 February 2004 and in June gave in-principle support for the development of an IGA on local government relations. The objectives of the IGA include providing for greater financial transparency between the three spheres of government on local government services and functions. In addition, the IGA aims to improve the relationship and consultation between governments on local government matters. The IGA does not attempt to define cost shifting but addresses it by obtaining in-principle agreement from governments that when a responsibility is devolved to local government, local government is consulted and the financial and other impacts on local government are taken into account. (2) Local governments also receive substantial financial support from the state and commonwealth governments. Specific requests for funding are considered from time to time. I have given a commitment to local government to carry out a number of major consultation processes in relation to the IGA to look at these specific issues. It is also the main agenda item for the ministerial council meeting in August. I intend to consult with WALGA and I am already talking to local governments on those specific issues.
(2) Is the state government willing to provide legal advice to local government authorities unable to comply with regulatory and non-regulatory functions asked of them by the state government due to inadequate resources? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The intergovernmental agreement between the Australian state and territory governments and the Australian Local Government Association was signed by the Western Australian government on 21 April 2006. The IGA was developed in response to the November 2003 report of the House of Representatives’ Standing Committee on Economics, Finance and Public Administration, “Rates and Taxes: A Fair Share for Local Government”. This report recommended the development of an IGA to address the issue of cost shifting onto local government. The Local Government and Planning Ministers Council discussed the committee’s report at its meeting on 13 February 2004 and in June gave in-principle support for the development of an IGA on local government relations. The objectives of the IGA include providing for greater financial transparency between the three spheres of government on local government services and functions. In addition, the IGA aims to improve the relationship and consultation between governments on local government matters. The IGA does not attempt to define cost shifting but addresses it by obtaining in-principle agreement from governments that when a responsibility is devolved to local government, local government is consulted and the financial and other impacts on local government are taken into account. (2) Local governments also receive substantial financial support from the state and commonwealth governments. Specific requests for funding are considered from time to time. I have given a commitment to local government to carry out a number of major consultation processes in relation to the IGA to look at these specific issues. It is also the main agenda item for the ministerial council meeting in August. I intend to consult with WALGA and I am already talking to local governments on those specific issues.
Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The intergovernmental agreement between the Australian state and territory governments and the Australian Local Government Association was signed by the Western Australian government on 21 April 2006. The IGA was developed in response to the November 2003 report of the House of Representatives’ Standing Committee on Economics, Finance and Public Administration, “Rates and Taxes: A Fair Share for Local Government”. This report recommended the development of an IGA to address the issue of cost shifting onto local government. The Local Government and Planning Ministers Council discussed the committee’s report at its meeting on 13 February 2004 and in June gave in-principle support for the development of an IGA on local government relations. The objectives of the IGA include providing for greater financial transparency between the three spheres of government on local government services and functions. In addition, the IGA aims to improve the relationship and consultation between governments on local government matters. The IGA does not attempt to define cost shifting but addresses it by obtaining in-principle agreement from governments that when a responsibility is devolved to local government, local government is consulted and the financial and other impacts on local government are taken into account. (2) Local governments also receive substantial financial support from the state and commonwealth governments. Specific requests for funding are considered from time to time. I have given a commitment to local government to carry out a number of major consultation processes in relation to the IGA to look at these specific issues. It is also the main agenda item for the ministerial council meeting in August. I intend to consult with WALGA and I am already talking to local governments on those specific issues.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The intergovernmental agreement between the Australian state and territory governments and the Australian Local Government Association was signed by the Western Australian government on 21 April 2006. The IGA was developed in response to the November 2003 report of the House of Representatives’ Standing Committee on Economics, Finance and Public Administration, “Rates and Taxes: A Fair Share for Local Government”. This report recommended the development of an IGA to address the issue of cost shifting onto local government. The Local Government and Planning Ministers Council discussed the committee’s report at its meeting on 13 February 2004 and in June gave in-principle support for the development of an IGA on local government relations. The objectives of the IGA include providing for greater financial transparency between the three spheres of government on local government services and functions. In addition, the IGA aims to improve the relationship and consultation between governments on local government matters. The IGA does not attempt to define cost shifting but addresses it by obtaining in-principle agreement from governments that when a responsibility is devolved to local government, local government is consulted and the financial and other impacts on local government are taken into account. (2) Local governments also receive substantial financial support from the state and commonwealth governments. Specific requests for funding are considered from time to time. I have given a commitment to local government to carry out a number of major consultation processes in relation to the IGA to look at these specific issues. It is also the main agenda item for the ministerial council meeting in August. I intend to consult with WALGA and I am already talking to local governments on those specific issues.
(1) The intergovernmental agreement between the Australian state and territory governments and the Australian Local Government Association was signed by the Western Australian government on 21 April 2006. The IGA was developed in response to the November 2003 report of the House of Representatives’ Standing Committee on Economics, Finance and Public Administration, “Rates and Taxes: A Fair Share for Local Government”. This report recommended the development of an IGA to address the issue of cost shifting onto local government. The Local Government and Planning Ministers Council discussed the committee’s report at its meeting on 13 February 2004 and in June gave in-principle support for the development of an IGA on local government relations. The objectives of the IGA include providing for greater financial transparency between the three spheres of government on local government services and functions. In addition, the IGA aims to improve the relationship and consultation between governments on local government matters. The IGA does not attempt to define cost shifting but addresses it by obtaining in-principle agreement from governments that when a responsibility is devolved to local government, local government is consulted and the financial and other impacts on local government are taken into account. (2) Local governments also receive substantial financial support from the state and commonwealth governments. Specific requests for funding are considered from time to time. I have given a commitment to local government to carry out a number of major consultation processes in relation to the IGA to look at these specific issues. It is also the main agenda item for the ministerial council meeting in August. I intend to consult with WALGA and I am already talking to local governments on those specific issues.
(2) Local governments also receive substantial financial support from the state and commonwealth governments. Specific requests for funding are considered from time to time. I have given a commitment to local government to carry out a number of major consultation processes in relation to the IGA to look at these specific issues. It is also the main agenda item for the ministerial council meeting in August. I intend to consult with WALGA and I am already talking to local governments on those specific issues.
(1) Can the minister advise what action has been taken following a meeting of the Local Government and Planning Ministers Council on 13 February 2004 to “identify the required supporting and administrative frameworks between the levels of government”? (2) Is the state government willing to provide legal advice to local government authorities unable to comply with regulatory and non-regulatory functions asked of them by the state government due to inadequate resources? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The intergovernmental agreement between the Australian state and territory governments and the Australian Local Government Association was signed by the Western Australian government on 21 April 2006. The IGA was developed in response to the November 2003 report of the House of Representatives’ Standing Committee on Economics, Finance and Public Administration, “Rates and Taxes: A Fair Share for Local Government”. This report recommended the development of an IGA to address the issue of cost shifting onto local government. The Local Government and Planning Ministers Council discussed the committee’s report at its meeting on 13 February 2004 and in June gave in-principle support for the development of an IGA on local government relations. The objectives of the IGA include providing for greater financial transparency between the three spheres of government on local government services and functions. In addition, the IGA aims to improve the relationship and consultation between governments on local government matters. The IGA does not attempt to define cost shifting but addresses it by obtaining in-principle agreement from governments that when a responsibility is devolved to local government, local government is consulted and the financial and other impacts on local government are taken into account. (2) Local governments also receive substantial financial support from the state and commonwealth governments. Specific requests for funding are considered from time to time. I have given a commitment to local government to carry out a number of major consultation processes in relation to the IGA to look at these specific issues. It is also the main agenda item for the ministerial council meeting in August. I intend to consult with WALGA and I am already talking to local governments on those specific issues.
(2) Is the state government willing to provide legal advice to local government authorities unable to comply with regulatory and non-regulatory functions asked of them by the state government due to inadequate resources? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The intergovernmental agreement between the Australian state and territory governments and the Australian Local Government Association was signed by the Western Australian government on 21 April 2006. The IGA was developed in response to the November 2003 report of the House of Representatives’ Standing Committee on Economics, Finance and Public Administration, “Rates and Taxes: A Fair Share for Local Government”. This report recommended the development of an IGA to address the issue of cost shifting onto local government. The Local Government and Planning Ministers Council discussed the committee’s report at its meeting on 13 February 2004 and in June gave in-principle support for the development of an IGA on local government relations. The objectives of the IGA include providing for greater financial transparency between the three spheres of government on local government services and functions. In addition, the IGA aims to improve the relationship and consultation between governments on local government matters. The IGA does not attempt to define cost shifting but addresses it by obtaining in-principle agreement from governments that when a responsibility is devolved to local government, local government is consulted and the financial and other impacts on local government are taken into account. (2) Local governments also receive substantial financial support from the state and commonwealth governments. Specific requests for funding are considered from time to time. I have given a commitment to local government to carry out a number of major consultation processes in relation to the IGA to look at these specific issues. It is also the main agenda item for the ministerial council meeting in August. I intend to consult with WALGA and I am already talking to local governments on those specific issues.
Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The intergovernmental agreement between the Australian state and territory governments and the Australian Local Government Association was signed by the Western Australian government on 21 April 2006. The IGA was developed in response to the November 2003 report of the House of Representatives’ Standing Committee on Economics, Finance and Public Administration, “Rates and Taxes: A Fair Share for Local Government”. This report recommended the development of an IGA to address the issue of cost shifting onto local government. The Local Government and Planning Ministers Council discussed the committee’s report at its meeting on 13 February 2004 and in June gave in-principle support for the development of an IGA on local government relations. The objectives of the IGA include providing for greater financial transparency between the three spheres of government on local government services and functions. In addition, the IGA aims to improve the relationship and consultation between governments on local government matters. The IGA does not attempt to define cost shifting but addresses it by obtaining in-principle agreement from governments that when a responsibility is devolved to local government, local government is consulted and the financial and other impacts on local government are taken into account. (2) Local governments also receive substantial financial support from the state and commonwealth governments. Specific requests for funding are considered from time to time. I have given a commitment to local government to carry out a number of major consultation processes in relation to the IGA to look at these specific issues. It is also the main agenda item for the ministerial council meeting in August. I intend to consult with WALGA and I am already talking to local governments on those specific issues.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The intergovernmental agreement between the Australian state and territory governments and the Australian Local Government Association was signed by the Western Australian government on 21 April 2006. The IGA was developed in response to the November 2003 report of the House of Representatives’ Standing Committee on Economics, Finance and Public Administration, “Rates and Taxes: A Fair Share for Local Government”. This report recommended the development of an IGA to address the issue of cost shifting onto local government. The Local Government and Planning Ministers Council discussed the committee’s report at its meeting on 13 February 2004 and in June gave in-principle support for the development of an IGA on local government relations. The objectives of the IGA include providing for greater financial transparency between the three spheres of government on local government services and functions. In addition, the IGA aims to improve the relationship and consultation between governments on local government matters. The IGA does not attempt to define cost shifting but addresses it by obtaining in-principle agreement from governments that when a responsibility is devolved to local government, local government is consulted and the financial and other impacts on local government are taken into account. (2) Local governments also receive substantial financial support from the state and commonwealth governments. Specific requests for funding are considered from time to time. I have given a commitment to local government to carry out a number of major consultation processes in relation to the IGA to look at these specific issues. It is also the main agenda item for the ministerial council meeting in August. I intend to consult with WALGA and I am already talking to local governments on those specific issues.
(1) The intergovernmental agreement between the Australian state and territory governments and the Australian Local Government Association was signed by the Western Australian government on 21 April 2006. The IGA was developed in response to the November 2003 report of the House of Representatives’ Standing Committee on Economics, Finance and Public Administration, “Rates and Taxes: A Fair Share for Local Government”. This report recommended the development of an IGA to address the issue of cost shifting onto local government. The Local Government and Planning Ministers Council discussed the committee’s report at its meeting on 13 February 2004 and in June gave in-principle support for the development of an IGA on local government relations. The objectives of the IGA include providing for greater financial transparency between the three spheres of government on local government services and functions. In addition, the IGA aims to improve the relationship and consultation between governments on local government matters. The IGA does not attempt to define cost shifting but addresses it by obtaining in-principle agreement from governments that when a responsibility is devolved to local government, local government is consulted and the financial and other impacts on local government are taken into account. (2) Local governments also receive substantial financial support from the state and commonwealth governments. Specific requests for funding are considered from time to time. I have given a commitment to local government to carry out a number of major consultation processes in relation to the IGA to look at these specific issues. It is also the main agenda item for the ministerial council meeting in August. I intend to consult with WALGA and I am already talking to local governments on those specific issues.
(2) Local governments also receive substantial financial support from the state and commonwealth governments. Specific requests for funding are considered from time to time. I have given a commitment to local government to carry out a number of major consultation processes in relation to the IGA to look at these specific issues. It is also the main agenda item for the ministerial council meeting in August. I intend to consult with WALGA and I am already talking to local governments on those specific issues.
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