March 2024
Australia’s National Local Government Newspaper
Mayors back to school The mayors from shires in South Western New South Wales went back to school for a day last month. The visit was part of a longstanding initiative of the Riverina Eastern Regional Organisation of Councils (REROC) according to group Chairman and Temora Mayor Rick Firman. “All mayors were asked to deliver what we call ‘Kindy Kits’ to all Kindergarten students across the REROC footprint,” he said. “It has pencils, colouring books, etc, etc. “I went to where I was at school – Temora Public School. “It was great fun and is a terrific, longstanding initiative of REROCs.” The group includes mayors and general managers from Bland, Coolamon, Junee, Greater Hume, CootamundraGundagai, Lockhart and Temora Shires as well as Goldenfields Water County Council.
Temora Mayor Rick Firman returns to his old school to welcome the newest intake.
Time running out The countdown is on for the Federal Government to deliver on its pre-election promise of “fair increases” to Financial Assistance Grants to Australia’s 537 local governments, according to the industry’s peak body. ALGA President Councillor Linda Scott said before the May 2022 election, Federal Labor committed to the ‘long-term financial sustainability of local government’ through increases to grant allocations, including ‘fair increases’ to Financial Assistance Grants. “For 50 years these grants have provided a base level of funding for councils to deliver the services our communities need, without delivery tied to the Government’s agenda,” she said. “Many of Australia’s councils are under significant financial pressure, which is being compounded by increasingly frequent natural di-
sasters, jobs and skills shortages and inflation. “We simply can’t afford to wait any longer to see these ‘fair increases’ in federal funding that were promised to our communities. “With the next Federal election looming, this is the Government’s last chance to follow through on its commitment to increase Financial Assistance Grants.” FA Grants have declined from one per cent of Commonwealth taxation revenue in 1996 to just 0.5 per cent today. ALGA’s research showed local govern-
ments’ share of Gross Domestic Product is amongst the lowest of comparable nations, and expenditure per capita by councils has flatlined over the past decade, while state, territory and commonwealth spending has continued to rise. “Councils are innovative, effective and efficient – whether it’s stepping up to provide affordable housing solutions, or running more free and low-cost community programs, we are committed to addressing Australia’s cost of living crisis but we can’t keep doing more with less,” Cr Scott said.
“Restoring Financial Assistance Grants to at least one per cent of Commonwealth taxation revenue must be an urgent priority for this Government and would deliver tangible benefits for every Australian community.” Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) President Jane Cowell said Australia’s public libraries have always provided essential community services and support, and this has been especially true in the current cost-of-living crisis. Continued page 2
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