Beyond the Pandemic and COAG
National Cabinet is here to stay. It will meet monthly with less formality, less staging and more talking among the leaders. The Prime Minister announced that the National Cabinet will be driven by a singular agenda to create jobs.
The National Cabinet, which replaces COAG, will comprise the Prime Minister and the State and Territory leaders. The National Cabinet will now shift its focus to economic recovery and the national reform agenda including industrial relations and taxation with the principal objective of driving job creation.
The National Cabinet will be supplemented by two meetings per year by a new National Federation Reform Council, which will comprise the State and Territory leaders along with the treasurers.
Expectations of Local Government
There has been no mention of local government representation on the National Cabinet. Local government has been represented on COAG since its inception in 1992. Expectations of local government have been significant during this pandemic. Councils have:
- lost significant revenue due to closing facilities and withdrawing services;
- mostly maintained staff levels and delivered emerging services;
- frozen their rates and fees and charges for the coming year;
- borrowed and used reserves to fund day-to-day operations;
- introduced hardship policies to assist residents and local businesses; and
- adopted stimulus packages to encourage local economic development.
Globally, governments recognise local government’s position of proximity to community and ability to affect local change. Cities/councils played a significant role in locking down communities and containing the virus. In some jurisdictions they are leading the COVID-19 recovery.
Local Government Representation
There is a strong argument for local government to be represented on the National Cabinet. The argument is not about local government being a third tier of government, the tier closest to the people. The argument is about councils providing a national network through which economic stimulus could be delivered to add value to local job creation.
Labor commits to Local Government
The Opposition Leader confirmed his government will ensure local government has a voice in a genuine National Cabinet process, bringing a focus on urban policy to the national stage.
Albanese made the commitment while outlining Labor’s vision for the future of Australia’s cities as the nation emerged from a pandemic and recession. These initiatives are similar to those in place during the Rudd Government when Albanese was Minister for Local Government except for the ACLG.
Australian Council of Local Government
During 2008 the Rudd Government established the Australian Council of Local Government to join the Commonwealth in a nation building partnership and strengthen the relationship between federal and local governments.
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