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Local Government Needs Commonwealth Support - Howard EmanuelWith the recent announcement from the Commonwealth of a new minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads, one wonders just how this change of stewardship is supposed to affect local councils. Read More... By Howard Emanuel - 3rd October 2004 - Back to News With the recent announcement from the Commonwealth of a new minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads, one wonders just how this change of stewardship is supposed to affect local councils. I do hope that we are not expected to accept that a new minister under and old mandate is a progressive step.
Indeed quite a few changes are necessary in this most important federal portfolio. Not the least being the weight of responsibilities this minister has to cope with given the diverse nature of this portfolio and the capacity of that minister to deliver effective and strong representation of local government issues into the federal sphere. Currently this portfolio is not a cabinet position and one wonders of the ability of the minister to bring local government issues to the attention of the cabinet decision making process. Indeed what message does it send to the community in regards to the importance of the third tier of government in this country if the overseeing federal minister sits outside the cabinet process? Not a good one I think.
As well I openly question the appropriateness of bunching together extremely important local government issues with the Commonwealths responsibilities in managing Australia’s territories and the nations roads. Out of the three separate areas in this portfolio how do we decide which is most important, which receives the bulk of the minister’s time. Indeed how much work can one person do and in the wash-up, what is not achieved because the resources are too thin?
Australia has over 450 local councils across the nation, enough activity and responsibility I would of thought to earn its own portfolio, that is if the government of the day really wanted to establish a quality and effective conduit between itself and local councils. Most agree on the importance and effectiveness of local councils and the significant interface they create between the decision making process and the community.
There are myriad issues facing local government in this country and those issues will not be best understood by a minister who has much else to do with their time. I believe local government deserves, given the vital role it plays in our democratic process, its own federal portfolio and its own minister.
As an Independent candidate for McMillan I call on the Commonwealth to show its respect and regard for local government in this country and create a ministry of Local Government, unencumbered of any other responsibility. As a federal member I would call for such a change to be made.
Thank you.
Howard Emanuel.
Independent Candidate for the Federal Seat of McMillan.
Convener: Rural Social Justice Movement
Tele/Fax: (03)5684 1561
Mobile: 0400 158 896
E-mail: howard@howardemanuel.com
Website: www.HowardEmanuel.com
"Bringing People back into Policy!"
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: kris@howardemanuel.com
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