Inquiry Targets Funding Challenges and Solutions
Public hearings in Melbourne and Sydney will begin next week, led by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport. The inquiry will examine local government funding issues.
The Committee aims to understand the financial difficulties that local governments face in Melbourne, Sydney, and nearby regional areas in Victoria and New South Wales. The goal is to identify potential solutions and assess the impact on workers in the sector.
Mrs. Fiona Phillips, Chair of the Committee, said, "The Committee is eager to explore solutions to current challenges and understand the increasing demands on the workforce."
Hearing Schedule and Focus
Hearings in Melbourne will start on Tuesday, 28th April. Representatives from local government bodies, unions, and councils will attend. Discussions will focus on grant distribution processes, workforce issues, and labour market conditions in Victoria.
Sydney will host hearings on Thursday, 30th April and Friday, 1st May. Participants will include academic experts, state government officials, and councils from regional and outer-urban areas. Topics will cover financial sustainability, insurance and risk, workforce challenges, and broader pressures on local governments in New South Wales.
Public hearings will be broadcast live on the Australian Parliament House Streaming Portal. Detailed programmes for each hearing are available on the inquiry webpage.
The Melbourne hearings are scheduled from 9.00 am to 5.25 pm on 28th April. In Sydney, sessions will occur from 12.45 pm to 5.00 pm on 30th April and from 9.00 am to 3.45 pm on 1st May.
Further information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference and how to contribute, is available on the Committee’s website. Public participation is encouraged to address vital issues facing local governments.
The Committee will explore a range of issues, including the fiscal sustainability of local governments in both states. Mrs. Phillips stated, "We look forward to learning more about the impacts of rising demands on the sector’s workforce."
Programs for each public hearing can be accessed on the inquiry webpage. For media inquiries, contact Mrs. Fiona Phillips’ media adviser, Katrina Condie, at 0437 662 967. For more background information, reach out to the Committee Secretariat at 02 6277 2232 or via email.
