President’s column – 5 February 2020

ALGA lodged its 2021-22 Pre-Budget Submission with the Federal Treasury last week – the essence of which is that more federal support for local government will help strengthen Covid-19 recovery.

The
measures outlined in the submission include:

• Continuing
  the $1.5 billion Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program with a focus
  on sustainable transport initiatives;
• Establishing
  a targeted disaster mitigation program of $200 million a year for four years;
• Restoring
  the quantum of Financial Assistance Grants to at least 1 percent of
  Commonwealth tax revenue;
• Establishing
  a local roads investment program to address first and last-mile freight
  efficiency issues;
• Providing
  funding of $120 million a year over four years for local government arts and
  culture; and
• Providing
  funding of $100 million a year over four years for local government circular
  economy innovation.

ALGA
estimates these and other Budget priorities for local government will create
over 31,000 jobs and boost GDP by $4.65 billion.

We can and will play a vital role in the coming months and years to bolster local economies, make communities more resilient, and build a better, more prosperous.

But we must be provided with the necessary support and resources – as our submission makes very clear.

The
Covid-19 vaccination program starting in a few weeks will be the largest and
most ambitious of its kind ever attempted in Australia.

Its
ultimate success depends heavily on state and federal governments working
closely with local government – hopefully in ways that recognise each sector’s
strengths and attributes.

Local government’s
strong suit is its connection to the community: we can talk directly to our
communities, listen to their concerns, provide leadership, and act as their
advocates in intergovernmental forums.

That is why
I wrote to Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt recently seeking his support for
including frontline council workers in the cohort which will get their shots
first.

The Morrison Government has already said that health care and aged care workers, first responders, and seniors will be among those that are first in line for jabs.

Frontline
local government staff, including waste services staff, building and compliance
officers, rangers, and food and environmental health workers, should also be
considered for priority status.

Two significant public benefits would flow from vaccinating frontline staff:

• Potential future interruption to essential services delivery would be minimised; and
• Council workers could be pressed into service to support the rollout of the vaccination program.

Regardless of what happens, I know council staff will give 100 percent to ensure this multi-billion-dollar program is as successful as our other efforts have been to date in minimising Covid-19 case numbers and fatalities.

Linda Scott,
ALGA President