Boswell a Budget Failure for Local Government

8 May 2007

Boswell a Budget Failure for Local Government

Federal Senator Ron Boswell has failed councils throughout Queensland with local government ignored in this year’s Federal Budget, Local Government Minister Andrew Fraser said tonight.

“The hypocrisy is breathtaking,” Mr Fraser said.

“Senator Boswell has been traipsing around Queensland spreading a doom and gloom message about local government but has failed to deliver on local governments’ budget demands.

“The Nationals have failed to secure from the Australian Local Government Association’s (ALGA) key budget request for a $250 million infrastructure fund to get local government out of the precarious situation it now faces - (item 2.2.2 ALGA Budget Submission, page 10).

“Senator Boswell gives the word windbag a bad name. It is clear the Queensland National Party is a spent force in Canberra.

“I say to the committees around Queensland ignored by the National Party tonight that talk is cheap.

“Everyone with a pulse and every interest group with a claim got a prize tonight except local government.

“Despite the crocodile tears emanating from Canberra the Nationals have failed to convince Peter Costello to put his money where their mouth is.

Mr Fraser said the Australian Local Government Association commissioned Price Waterhouse Cooper to prepare a review of council sustainability last November.

It recommended the Federal Government establish the $250 million infrastructure fund to help councils improve services across the country.

“The report presented the Howard Government with a perfect opportunity to help councils out of the doldrums,” Mr Fraser said.

“Despite Peter Costello having more money to splash everywhere the percentage of funds going to local government from the Federal Government has once again declined this year (0.75 per cent of tax revenue this year down from 0.78 per cent last year, compared to 1.01 per cent when Costello became treasurer).

Mr Fraser will be meeting with Local Government representatives at the Central Queensland Local Government Association at Blackwater tomorrow (Wednesday) and the North Queensland LGA at MountIsa on Thursday to discuss issues surrounding reform.

Media Contact: Chris Ward 0418 424 654