LOCAL GOVERNMENT DISASTER FUND

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:23): My question is to the Minister for State/Local Government Relations. Minister, will you provide an update to the chamber about the state/local government review into the Local Government Disaster Fund?

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (15:23): I would like to thank the member for his very important question. Members will recall that, late last year, terms of reference for a review of natural disaster funding arrangements between state and local government were developed. The terms of reference for the review were jointly determined by myself and the President of the Local Government Association, Mr Kym McHugh. As members will recall, the need for the review has been triggered by recent drawdowns on the fund owing to a series of natural disaster events that occurred in late 2010 and early 2011.

I am pleased to advise that a discussion paper has now been prepared. This means that the state government and the Local Government Association can consult with councils, state government agencies and other relevant interested parties. The discussion paper was prepared by a dedicated group of staff from my Office for State/Local Government Relations, the Department of Treasury and Finance, SAFECOM and the Local Government Association (LGA).

The discussion paper canvasses the idea of developing new procedures that are more consistent with natural disaster funding arrangements with the states and territories. The consultation period starts this week and will run to the beginning of November. Once the consultation period has concluded, the working group will report to me, the Treasurer and the president of the LGA. My officers have been in discussion with the Local Government Association today about writing to councils and disseminating the discussion paper forthwith. If any member or interested party would like a copy of the discussion paper, please feel free to contact my office.