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Cost Shifting keeps happening

COST SHIFTING KEEPS HAPPENING WITH LOSS OF FUNDING FOR SPORT AND RECREATION OFFICERS

Northern Territory Local Government Association President Alderman Kerry Moir said today several councils were angry at being given two days notice that they were not going to get funding for the employment of their sport and recreation officers from the Territory Government.

“This is just a blatant cost shift”, said Alderman Moir. “I am amazed that it has happened, especially after the Government was party to the Federal Cost Shifting Inquiry which took years to conclude.” Alderman Moir said. “The Minister for Local Government signed the historic intergovernmental agreement (IGA) in April 2006 between the Australian Government, State and Territory governments and the Australian Local Government Association (on behalf of all local governments) which was designed to bring an end to cost shifting and yet here we have it happening just three months later”, said Alderman Moir.

“Clearly protocols are not at work at the highest levels in the Territory Government otherwise this would not have happened this way” Alderman Moir said. “The IGA is all about encouraging the conduct of positive and productive relations between the three spheres of government in a spirit of respect with an emphasis on partnership and co-operation” Alderman Moir said. “It is also about negotiating over services that are jointly provided which was how this service was financed, with both the Territory Government and local governments contributing ” Alderman Moir said.

“Apart from not honouring the spirit of the IGA the disappointing fact about this decision is that councils have already set their budgets in anticipation of receiving this funding. They now have some serious revenue decisions to make themselves, including informing their communities of what has happened and letting them know if they can continue the service” Alderman Moir said.

“I call upon the responsible Minister, the Hon Delia Lawrie MLA, to discuss the matter with Minister McAdam, the NT Government signatory of the IGA, and then to reverse this decision so that the government can do what it is supposed to do under the IGA. The days of running roughshod over local government on issues like this are over” Alderman Moir said.

Ends

4 July 2006

Contact: LGANT President Alderman Kerry Moir 0419 303 378

Tony Tapsell Chief Executive Officer 89362888