3 November 2007

Local government needs realistic funding

The Greens want a clear definition of the roles of all spheres of government and realistic financing for local government to end cost shifting.

Greens candidate for Eden-Monaro, Keith Hughes, who is also a Bega Valley Shire Councillor says that local Government is not even mentioned in the Australian Constitution.

“Its role at any time is subject to the changing whims of politicians.”

“Federal and State governments across Australia are continually loading up Councils with more and more responsibilities, without ensuring them an adequate financial base to carry out these extra tasks,” he says.

“Rural councils are facing a dire situation, struggling to carry out their most basic functions, let alone new tasks.”

“At a time when the Howard government can find more than $10 million a week to fight the Iraq War, surely it is time to get real on local government.”

“One obvious way to improve the financial base of most shires in the south east is to make Forests NSW pay rates on its “production” forests, saving it millions of dollars a year,” Mr Hughes says.

Local councils are the closest sphere of government to the people and are in the best position to identify and respond to their needs. 

The Australian political system is far too “top down” with power exercised ever more centrally and remotely under the Howard Government.