March 21, 2024
A Federal Government committee has launched an inquiry into the financial sustainability of local councils throughout Australia.
The inquiry, by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport, opened on Thursday.
Committee chair Luke Gosling, the Member for Solomon, said the priority was to gain a deeper understanding of local government financial sustainability and funding frameworks “alongside the changing infrastructure requirements and service delivery obligations for local governments”.
“Local government sustainability is essential to supporting our Australian communities through the provision of vital infrastructure and related services,” Mr Gosling said.
“The committee is seeking to understand the challenges faced by local governments in servicing infrastructure requirements across Australia’s regional, rural, and remote locations.
“The committee is aware of significant public infrastructure workforce shortages, particularly in local government areas, and the importance of promoting skills development and job security for Australians.
“The committee will examine labour hire and retention trends, including the impacts of labour hire practices, to identify barriers and opportunities to support our local workforce and local government sustainability and service delivery obligations.”
The committee has invited submissions from interested organisations and individuals by May 3.
- More information is available on the committee’s website
