MINISTER'S STATE/LOCAL GOVERNMENT FORUM

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS (14:53): My question is to the Minister for State/Local Government Relations. As members would be aware, there are many issues that are matters of priority for both state and local government and require the cooperation of both sectors to achieve positive outcomes. Can the minister update the chamber about the outcomes of the most recent meeting of the Minister's State/Local Government Forum?

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (14:54): Honourable members may recall that back in 2002 the then Minister for State/Local Government Relations (Hon. Jay Weatherill, in another place) implemented an election promise to improve state/local government relations. The formation of the Minister's State/Local Government Forum was designed to progress key policy priorities that require support from both sectors of government.

As outlined in the terms of reference, the purpose of the forum is to advise the Minister for Local Government, the Premier, the government and the Local Government Association on matters of significance to the state government and the local government sector that require a high level of cooperation between state and local government for their objectives to be achieved.

The forum is chaired by myself as the Minister for State/Local Government Relations, and members include the Minister for Planning, the Minister for Regional Development and the Minister for Housing and Urban Development. Additionally, the forum membership is made up of senior representatives from the respective departments and two union nominees. Local government representation includes the president of the LGA, nominees from the LGA state executive, and senior officials from local government bodies.

The activities undertaken by the forum have significantly strengthened working relations between state and local government and have driven major work in addressing some longstanding problems. The first meeting was chaired by the Hon. Jay Weatherill MP in August 2002, and a further 20 meetings have been held since that date. Specific issues that the forum has been instrumental in progressing over the years include the State-Local Government Relations Agreement, community wastewater management systems, stormwater management and flood mitigation, South Australia's Strategic Plan, climate change, and women in local government.

More recently, the forum has met to discuss the state government's planning reforms, specifically the 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide. I am pleased to inform the chamber that earlier this month I chaired my first Minister's State/Local Government Forum. I am also pleased to advise that the Premier addressed the forum, recognising that it has always been important to building a good working relationship between state and local government in the interests of our shared constituencies.

The forum has served as a mechanism to talk about priorities for both state and local government sectors, including the Independent Commission Against Corruption and the Office for Public Integrity. The forum has also addressed other important issues such as the newly formed Urban Development Authority, discussion around the constitutional recognition for local government and the Disaster Fund.

I trust that our work together will continue to focus on the issues that are important to South Australians, and their future. I look forward to continuing with the local government sector on the very significant reform and development opportunities in front of us as we plan for growth and the revitalisation of our city, suburbs and regional areas.