Local Government Finances

Mr TELFER (Flinders) (15:02): My question is to the Minister for Local Government. What is the minister's response to the latest ESCOSA reports into local government financial sustainability? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr TELFER: The latest tranche of ESCOSA reporting has designated several councils as financially unsustainable or potentially unsustainable, bringing that number to 11 over the last two years of reporting.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS (Cheltenham—Minister for Trade and Investment, Minister for Local Government, Minister for Veterans Affairs) (15:02): I thank the member for his question. He is obviously particularly familiar with some of the background on this matter and heavily involved with his time as president of the LGA. I am following this matter closely. Obviously I have received updated advice from my agency, the Office for Local Government, particularly around some of these findings. What I think it does demonstrate is the strength of this scheme, the importance of this scheme and the need for this scheme to be not only supported but understood as to why the significant value-add is there for councils.

Councils have a big task ahead of them. I do note in the member's question he has identified that there are some really good performers. There are some councils who are, by assessment of ESCOSA in their most recent round, doing a good job and in a sustainable and strong position moving forward. There are other councils who are in a less strong and less advantageous position. That is of course a matter that were it not for this scheme those councils would not have the magnitude of spotlight on. This government and I are strong supporters of this scheme. We want to see it through. Certainly, the mayors and chief executives who I have been speaking to understand the need for this scheme.

In particular, we as a government, in our commitment to the public and most importantly in our commitment to the Local Government Association, committed to having the LGA present to our cabinet on a regular basis—regular engagement, hearing directly from the LGA and their most senior leadership. They have raised these matters with government, and I will be very pleased to oversee as minister that continual engagement with the LGA. I am not sure when they are due at cabinet next, but I know it is in the very near future and I look forward to seeing them then.