GEOFF LAKE
01 Oct 2009
One-on-one with President of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), Geoff Lake.
One-on-one with President of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), Geoff Lake.
How long have you been President of ALGA?
10 months.
Can you tell us a bit about your background – education/employment?
I have been involved in local government for the past decade. I’m a councillor in the City of Monash, which is a suburban council in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs. In 2002, I became the youngest Mayor ever in Victoria at the age of 22. I combine my local government duties with working part time as a lawyer at a national law firm.
When was ALGA established and why?
ALGA was founded in 1947, and in 1976, established a secretariat in Canberra reflecting growing links with the Australian Government and an awareness of local government's emerging national role. As local government activities expanded from the traditional roads, rates and rubbish roles into a growing range of areas such as health and ageing, building services, water management, community infrastructure, airports, cultural facilities and community services, it was recognised by local government leaders that a national advocacy role was required.
What is the aim of ALGA?
ALGA’s aims are to influence policy development at the national level in the interests of local councils and the communities they represent. ALGA's strategic priorities are:
• Strengthening local government finances;
• Sustaining local roads, transport and other infrastructure;
• Improving natural and built environmental outcomes;
• Enhancing regional equity and regional development;
• Building capacity and sustainability in local communities;
• Connecting member associations and the Local Government sector;
• Engaging effectively in National Government processes.
What are some of the activities ALGA is involved in?
Key activities include representation of local government on national bodies and ministerial councils, providing submissions to government and parliamentary inquiries, raising the profile and concerns of local government at the national level and providing forums for local government to guide the development of national local government policies. As one of Australia's three levels of government, local government is represented by ALGA on the Council of Australian Governments (COAG). This peak government body brings together the Prime Minister, state premiers, territory chief ministers and the ALGA President to develop responses to issues of concern to all three levels of government. ALGA provides a range of services to its member associations and, through them, local councils throughout Australia. These include:
• information on national issues, policies and trends affecting local government via the Internet, newsletters, special reports and conferences;
• representation on national bodies including the Council of Australian Governments, ministerial councils and intergovernmental committees;
• liaison and negotiation with a wide range of Commonwealth ministers and departments, shadow ministers and political parties, as well as other national organisations related to local government;
• policy development to provide a local government perspective on national affairs;
• special projects aimed at enhancing local government's capacity and status in key areas of national concern;
• lobbying the Australian Government and Parliament on specific issues and running campaigns to secure agreed policy objectives;
Issues of major concern to local government include:
• making cities vibrant, liveable and economically successful;
• maintaining local government’s role in planning and development on behalf of local communities;
• addressing climate change, in particular assisting communities to adapt to climate change that is already built into the our climate system – e.g. increased extreme climate events, storms, floods, sea level change etc;
• the roll-out of the National Broadband network
• regional and economic development
What does ALGA have planned/coming up?
One of ALGA’s priorities this year as determined by the Local Government Constitutional Summit held in December 2008 is to advocate for reform to the Australian Constitution by including local government. We are also working with the Federal Government on developing the Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government and the Local Government Reform Fund. We are currently preparing our Federal Budget submission for 2010-11 and will advocate strongly for increased funding for councils on climate change adaptation and also for ongoing community Infrastructure funding. Major events convened by ALGA each year include the National General Assembly of Local Government and the National Local Roads and Transport Congress. The National General Assembly is usually held in Canberra in June. The annual National Local Roads Congress is held at the end of the year in regional Australia. This year it will be held in Mackay from November 8-10. Delegates from local government gather to discuss important issues of concern to local government.
What has been your career highlight to date?
As president of ALGA I am a full member of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) alongside the Prime Minister and the state and territory leaders. COAG meets four times a year and it has been a great privilege to have been able to be involved and to participate in this forum over the past year. It provides a powerful mechanism for local government to be able to contribute to policy development at the national level and to play our part in helping to make the Australian system of government function better.
Visit: www.alga.asn.au