. JAUSTRtA!, 1A L
FOR PRESS 23 SEPTEMBER 1976
ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR INTER-GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
This Bill provides for the establishment of an Advisory
Council for Inter-Government Relationz.
The formation of the Advisory Council is a further step in
the implementation of our programme of reform to improve
the functioing of Australia's political institutions.
Honourable Members wil.-by now be familiar with the main
thrust of that programme. It is designed to strengthen the
federal system by giving the states and local government
an assured source of revenue; by matching revenue to
responsibilities and by a more appropriate allocation of
functions among governments.
The Advisory Council gives life to the Government's commitment
as outlines in our federalism policy statement of September 1975.
The Council should be looked at in the context of our overall
federalism reforms. These reforms attempt to restore a proper
balance bez.; een responsibilities and finances in Australia.
The work of the Council will supplement other reforms, such
as our tax sharing proposals which will be the subject of
separate legislation soon to be put before this House.
The Advisory Council is intended to bring together representatives
of the Commonwealth, state and local Governments and private
citizens to review and consider matters relating to the
improvement of cooperation between the different spheres of
government. The Council will operate under the Premiers Conference.
By reference from the Premiers' Conference, the Advisory
Council will examine problems which emerge between the various
spheres of government. Under the Premiers' Conference the
Council will give continuing attention to the range of
intergovernmental problems in the federal, state and local
government spheres.
It will be a most important source of advice on the most
desirable allocation of governmental functions, responsibilities
and revenues. .12
The Bill provides for a Council of 22 members:
five representatives of the Commonwealth ( three Government
Members and two Opposition Members six state
representaitives ( one from-each state Parliament);
six local government representatives; and five citizen
representatives.
Three Commonwealth Government representatives will be
nominated by the Prime Minister, two will be nominated by
the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives.
So -far as the local government membership is concerned,
the states agreed to three local government representatives.
We regret having to increase that numbe-r without the prior
agreement of the states but we have come to the conclusion
that six representatives of local government are necessary
for-the effective operation of the Council and for the
reasonable presentation of local government.
So far as is practicable, the six local government members
should be persons associcated with local government in
different states.
Citizen representatives to the Council will be selected
by the Commoi.: wqealth Government in consultation withthe States.
The Chairman of the Council will be one of the five citizen
members. Members will normally have a three year term.
Provision is also mad-in . the Bill for the appointment of deputy
memb.-rs, and attendance by one observer from each of the
Northern Territory and the Australian Capital territory Assemblies.
The body will be-distinctly bipartisan and the Government
wishes to ensure that its independence is preserved. The
Council is clearly not dominated by numbers of Commonwealth
representatives. The Council will fulfil its function best
if its members approach their tasks with a broad perspective,
considering Australian Government as a whole system.
The Body which this Bill proposes to establish has been modelled on
the Uh'ited States Advisory Commission on Inter-governmental rela-tions. 7
The United States Advisory Commission is a 17 year-old
bipartisan body in which representatives of national, state and
local governments and private citizens study the operations of
the federal system in the United States.
The American commission conducts studies and investigations
of specific inter-governmental conflict points and drafts
proposed legislation and administrative orders to carry out its
recommendations. The Commission is a successful and highly
respected body which has done much to improve the American Federation..
It is our intention that the Australian counterpart
also establish itself as an independent and highly respected
body. The Bill to establish the Council provides that the Premiers'
Conference, or a majority of Governments participating
may request the Council to institute inquiries. Local
government, throught their state Premiers will be able to
have matters brought to the Premiers' Conference
for reference to the Council for examination and report.
This Bill makes provision for the Advisory Council to furnish
reports of its inquiries and investigations to the Prime Minister,
to the Premier of each participating State and to the Australian
Council of Local Government-Associations.
The Advisory Council is also required to make an annual report
on its activities. This report will be made public by being
laid before both Houses of this Parliament within 15 sitting
days after the Prime Minister'has received a copy.
This Bill is the result of a great deal of consultation and
thought. All State Premiers, as well as the Australian Council
of Local Government Assoiations, have had an opprotunity to
comment on the proposed Council which has been modified in the
light of their comments. The Charter of the Advisory Council
was approved at the April Premiers' Confrence. And before
that Senator Carrick discussed details of the Council with
State Ministers.
The costs of the Council will be shared by agreement among the
three spheres of Government. At present it is intended that
the Commone iltb and the States each meet 45% of the Council's
cost, the remaining 10% being contributed by local government.
Since this arrangement may be subject to change or re-negotiation
as the Council develops it has not been written into the Bill.
Honourable Mlembers will also note that the Bill contains no
reference to staffing. This is to ensure maximum flexibility
and the opportunity for participation by officers drawn from all
spheres of Government.
A Secretariat to service the Council will be based in Hobart.
The staff iill be small in number but of a calibre which will assist
the Council to achieve the status and presitge which we envisage
for it. 1here necessary, it is hoped that other people and
institutions can be used to research proposals.
The Secretariat will be based in Hobart. While the initial
meetings will be in Hobart, when the Council is well established
it is expected that it will feel free to meet in other centres
around Australia.
An important role of the Council will be to promote discussion
and disseminate ideas. To reach a wide audience and to present
to that audience an independent view on possible solutions
to problems of inter-government relations.
4.
Such a role should do much to dispel the notion,' so prevalent
in recent years, that all wisdom resides at the centre.
The Council possesses only advisory powers. The Council
does not exist to pre-empt the . decisions of governments.
It exists to provide an effective vehicle to encourage
public debate on the practical resolution of problems
facing governments in Australia.
It exists to make Governments fully aware of the options which
face them. The Governments concerned will be solely
responsible for the decisions they make.
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