The Federal Government’s Grants Commission Financial Assistance Grants has released an issues paper outlining how it proposes to examine the distribution of money to local government bodies.

 

The release of the paper comes after the Grants Commission announced a two stage review into the financial grants, with the first stage focusing on how to make the most from the existing level of funding.

 

The Commission has been asked to identify measures for improving the impact of the grants on the effectiveness and sustainability of local governments and their ability to provide an equitable level of service to their residents.

 

The Commission is seeking submissions by 1 March 2013 and will hold hearings on those submissions in April.  The Commission plans to hold further consultations in conjunction with the National General Assembly of local governments in Canberra in June.  Its report will be provided to Government by 31 December, 2013.

 

The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has continued its push for a broad review of the grants system, given their importance to councils and local communities.

 

"ALGA has long argued that the amount of funding provided by the Federal Government to councils is not adequate," ALGA President Felicity-ann Lewis said.

 

The issues paper can be found on the Commission's website at: http://www.cgc.gov.au