Intergovernmental agreement means better service delivery to communities

21/04/06
Local Government and Regional Development Minister Jon Ford today hailed the signing of an agreement between the three tiers of government as another important step towards better co-operation and understanding.
The signing of the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between State, Federal and local governments will improve the relationship and consultation process between governments on local government issues.
Mr Ford said the IGA addressed the issue of cost-shifting by obtaining in-principle agreement that when a responsibility was directed to local governments, they were fully consulted and the financial and other impacts were taken into account.
The Minister said the real beneficiaries of the IGA would be the communities which governments served.
"This agreement will ultimately lead to better and more efficient service delivery to communities through better consultation and co-operation between the three tiers of government in Australia," he said.
The IGA process began with the Hawker Report presented to the House of Representatives in 2003 and has ensured for the first time that a framework is in place to provide better service delivery to the community through the different spheres of government.
For the full text of the IGA go to: http://www.lgpmcouncil.gov.au/communique/20060412.aspx
Minister's office: 9213 7200