ADVICE TO MEDIA
8 OCTOBER 1984
The attached speech was read on Mr Hawke's behalf by the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Bowen.
8 October 1984
Mr President, delegates of the Federal Municipal and Shire Council Employees' Union of Australia.
May I say how pleased I am to be here this afternoon to open your Annual Federal Council Meeting.
Three years ago, I had the pleasure of addressing some of you at the 22nd World Congress of the Public Services International in Singapore where, as one of the keynote speakers and as shadow Minister for Industrial Relations, Employment and Youth Affairs, I spoke about the public servant in a changing world.
I emphasised the immense importance of the public sector and of public sector workers in the modern economy I attempted to rebut what I saw to be the systematic, sustained and widespread attacks being carried out by governments at the time, including in Australia, on the role of the public sector in the national economy and the status of their own employees in that sector.
Much has happened in the short time since the Singapore Congress. My fellow keynote speaker, Olaf Palme, has again become Prime Minister of Sweden, while in Australia the Australian Labor Party won Government both at the national level and in a majority of States.
This has given us the opportunity to implement the public sector reforms we consider necessary. It has also enabled us to promote a more positive attitude on the part of governments towards the role of the public sector and to recognise the important contribution of public servants in the delivery of public goods at all levels.
One of the Australian Labor Government's priorities has be., i
to raise the status and strengthen the capacity of local
government in Australia. Our aim is to achieve a meaningful
partnership of Commonwealth, State and local governments,
co-operating in a broad range of functions, to build a
vigorous Australian community and economy from the grass
roots up.
This implies a quite radical change in intergovernmental
relations. It is an exciting challenge and one to which, I
am sure, all in local government will eagerly respond.
Changes will not be made overnight but over time, following
careful examination and the closest consultation between all
concerned. To assist in laying the foundation for change, the
Government announced in May this -year a National Inquiry
into Local Government Financing with a view to developing a
more stable, efficient, and equitable system of resourcing
local government's expanding functions. The Inquiry, under
the chairmanship of Professor Peter Self an
internationally renowned expert in public administration
is currently calling for submissions; I understand the MEU
is intending to respond.
We have also now received the report of the Advisory Council
for Inter-government Relations concerning the
responsibilities and resources of Australian local
government. This report, recently tabled in the National Parliament, is
probably one of the most far reaching examinations ever
undertaken of local government responsibilities and of the
resources available to local authorities to meet those
responsibilities. It will not only provide a direct input to the process of
developing a stronger role for local government in our
national government system, but will also be useful to the
Financing Inquiry.
As my colleague, the Minister for Territories and Local
Government, Tom Uren, has already indicated, the Government
will be examining the report, its conclusions and
recommendations, in a thorough and comprehensive way.
Both the Advisory Council for Inter-government Relations
report and the Financing Inquiry report, when received, will
provide a firm and valuable base on which to establish
policies and programs designed to improve local government's
capacity to meet the major community problems and social
issues facing us today.
Another major step has been preparation of a report by a
sub-committee of the Australian Constitutional Convention
concerning the possible recognition of local government in
our Constitution. The report will be given careful
consideration at the next session of the Convention, which
is due to meet in Brisbane in 1985.
Taken together, these developments provide the best basis
there has ever been for a vigorous, well informed community
discussion of the problems and possibilities of local
government. Out of such discussion constructive proposals should emerge
for future reform in the character, role and responsibility
of local government in Australia.
During its first 18 months in office the Government has
given particular priority to improving the co-ordination of
Commonwealth activities affecting local government and to
improving relations and consultative mechanisms between the
three spheres of Government.
Last year we established the first Ministry for Local
Government and appointed one of our most experienced
Ministers to lead it.
In recognition of the contribution local government can make
to the national economic policy consultative and advisory
process, we have also ensured local government is
represented on the Economic Planning Advisory Council
( EPAC).
Steps have also been taken to directly involve local
government in major programs of national interest. For
example, we have invited local government to participate
frankly and constructively in the development of new federal
road funding arrangements.
We have also made it easier for local government and
community organisations to sponsor projects under the
Community Employment Program ( CEP).
The CEP offers opportunities for a very significant role for
local governmcnt. Through it local government can move
beyond a simple agency function towards a more active
involvement in the development of employment opportunities
and expanded employmant and economic promotion activities.
The challenge to local government is to ensure that it is
adequately equipped to contribute effectively to such
programs. The Commonwealth Government will do what it can
to assist, but ultimately the responsibility lies with -local
government itself to take necessary action and to
demonstrate its capabilities.
t i
Despite severe economic restraint this financial year, the
August Budget provided for increased levels of assistance to
local government so that progress can continue towards
raising its status and capacity.
In 1984/ 85, consistent with our commitment to maintain the
real value of general revenue assistance, we have provided
local government authorities in the States with almost $ 487
million, an increase of $ 27 million or 5.9 per cent on the
1983/ 84 allocation. Commonwealth assistance for local roads
under the Road Grants Act will increase by 6 per cent to
$ 195 million, while, under the Community Employment Program,
$ 269 million has been allocated for expenditure on the State
Government/ local government/ community group component of the
program. Funds in 1984/ 85 to the Territories and Local Government
portfolio have been also significantly increased to further
the Department's co-ordination role for local government
matters at the Commonwealth level.
This year we also set aside $ 5 million for a Local
Government Development Program. The program will consist of
activities in the fields of regional community development,
information assistance, research, staff training and
development and innovation.
The amount allocated for this purpose represents a
significant increase on the previous year. The extent of
the increase in difficult budgetary circumstances reflects
the Government's commitment to strengthening, in
co-operation with the States, the role of local government
in the Australian community.
It is proposed that some $ 3.8 million of this $ 5 million
allocation will go to assisting community development in
agreed areas. A significant proportion will be set aside
for three regions in which the program was piloted in
1983/ 84 West and North-Wecst Helbourne and West Sydney.
The remainder of the $ 3.8 million will be allocated between
the States following discussions with each State aimed at
identifying regions requiring assistance.
Monies are also to be allocated in 1984/ E5 under the Local
Government Development Program for such purposes as staff
interchange, design of new local government related training
courses, and new forms of assistance to individuals to
undertake courses, with emphasis on courses for middle
management and blue collar areas.
Besides training, one of the cornerstones to attaining
improvement in local government services and facilities is
innovation. The 1984/ 85 Budget provides for awards to be
made as an encouragement to those who make outstanding
contributions to improve local government services and
facilities. S.
Funds have also been increased to the National Industry
Training Committee in which your union pl. ays such a major
r oIe
Significant activities of the Industry Training Committee
include the analysis of training needs, the development of
programs to meet those needs and increasing liaison with
education institutions.
It is extremely encouraging to note the responsible part
played by unions, and particularly the I'EU, in the
operations of the Industry Training Committee. The network
of industry training committees in almost all States
provides a unique and valuable forumn for discussion between
Government, employers and unions on the training needs and
related problems of employees at all leve-1s.
Such co-operation is vital if, as-individuals or
communities, we are to realise our aspirations for a better
Australia. Most importantly local government is charged with addressing
and delivering on the basic requirements of day to day life
in a modern society.
The Federal Labor Government's program for building a better Australia requires of local governments on effective and constructive exercise of their responsibilities.
You have a crucial role to play.
I know you are fully capable of the task.
I have every confidence in your continuing commitment, and, knowing this, I am sure all Australians will continue to benefit greatly from the workings of dedicated and effective local governments.