Special edition No Images? Click here Vol 3: Special Edition - Thursday 21June 2018 Dear Mayors and CouncillorsRate capping legislation was introduced into the Parliament yesterday, and has already generated a considerable amount of discussion within our sector and through the media. The LGA is committed to working with members to ensure you have all the facts, understand all the impacts including potential unintended consequences, and have information on potential amendments, alternatives and opportunities presented by the Bill. We have put in place a process to carefully analyse the impacts of the legislation, and provide members with all of the information they need at a special general meeting, the date of which we will be announcing shortly. The Minister, the Opposition and the cross bench are aware and supportive of the LGA’s approach to consulting with members on this legislation. We are seeking to confirm attendance at the Special Meeting of Minister Stephan Knoll, other MPs and ESCOSA. The Minister has said he is happy to look at amendments as the Bill progresses through Parliament, and should councils identify and support changes the LGA will work with the Government, the Opposition and cross bench to secure these amendments. This is the approach that we have previously taken on behalf of councils for the many pieces of legislation considered by the Parliament that impact on local government. After the special general meeting, members will be equipped to go back to their councils and vote on accepting, rejecting, or supporting amendments to the Bill with a full suite of information on what the legislation would mean for them and their communities. Therefore I encourage you to hold off on making any immediate decisions regarding the Bill. It is hardly ever the case that what is introduced as a Bill in Parliament ends up being the same Bill that is passed – or rejected – at the end of the parliamentary process. In the meantime, you might like to think about:
This is serious legislation and we need to look very closely at what it would mean for councils and communities, including where there are any gaps in the current Bill. This is why it is vitally important that we take the time afforded to us before committing to legislation that – if introduced – will probably be in place in South Australia for a long time, if not forever. The sector still has the support of the Greens and SA Best, who have opposed rate capping based on LGA advocacy. I would like to acknowledge the continued support we are receiving from these partiers as well as Francis Bedford MP, Troy Bell MP and Geoff Brock MP in the lower house. We will be providing all parties and independent MPs with our analysis of the Bill to assist them in forming a final position. Labor remain uncommitted on rate capping and the LGA is in constant contact with them. The Unions are placing a lot of pressure on Labor to reject rate capping. This means that if the ultimate position of our members is that they want to reject rate capping, then this outcome is possible to achieve through the Parliament. We need to acknowledge that our starting point is a unanimous decision by you at our 2016 Ordinary General Meeting to oppose rate capping. As a sector we are best when we are united, and we must ensure that any decisions we make are based on a full understanding of what is being proposed, and how the proposed system would affect the capacity of all councils to deliver the best services and infrastructure to ratepayers and for our communities. If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions I would encourage you to contact me directly to discuss, and I hope to see you at our special general meeting. LGA President Sue Clearihan For further information or to submit |