🤝 Working together for Melbourne’s south-east
Thank you to the Hon. Julian Hill MP for bringing together Greater South East Melbourne representatives for breakfast during the ALGA National General Assembly in Canberra.
It was a valuable opportunity to discuss how we can strengthen the GSEM voice and profile nationally, and advocate for the infrastructure, investment and services our rapidly growing region needs.
Better outcomes will come from the eight GSEM councils continuing to work collaboratively with each other and with the Australian Government.
Great to be joined by federal representatives and council leaders from across Melbourne’s south-east, including Clare O'Neil MP, Mark Dreyfus MP, Jodie Belyea MP, Dr. Carina Garland MP, Mary Doyle MP and fellow GSEM Mayors and Deputy Mayors.
🏛️ Local government is united, and today we sent a clear message to Federal Parliament.
At the National General Assembly in Canberra, councils from across Australia have passed an emergency motion calling for Financial Assistance Grants to be restored to at least 1% of Commonwealth taxation revenue.
These untied grants allow councils to invest in the priorities that matter most to their communities, including roads, drainage, libraries, parks, waste services and community facilities.
The value of this funding has fallen from 1% in 1996 to just 0.49% in 2026–27, while the responsibilities, costs and expectations placed on councils continue to grow.
In my roles as Vice President of the Australian Local Government Association, Deputy President of the Municipal Association of Victoria and Mayor of the City of Monash, I was proud to stand alongside local government leaders from every state and territory in calling for a fairer and more sustainable funding partnership.
Councils are ready to keep delivering for our communities. We now need the Federal Government and Parliament to provide the funding certainty required to do it.
Well done Stuart, keep up the great work. Tom.
Certainly hoping to see support for making polluters pay for climate harm and costs, a major rising cost for councils as indicated by the National Climate Risk Assessment. Need to name a problem to be able to confront the consequences when it is about physics not politics.
See Council watches post today.
Please note that you aren't even mentioned in the constitution. Your organisations have taken the basic concept of rates, rubbish and roads, and expanded into areas that were never your responsibility, creating a matrix of planning complexity that is impossible to navigate, pits neighbour against neighbour, and has a low bar to corruption that is clear at any council meeting that you attend where public contributions are limited often to 2-3 minutes for complex issues, are ignored by council workers, and if it doesn't directly threaten the councillors electoral continuity doesn't even get another look. I doubt you could find five Australians in a row who would endorse the work of their council. And to blame the federal government indicates how out of touch and unrealistic these institutions are. Are you kidding me? Get back into your electorates and deal with the issues that matter to people. Where you have removed fundamental on the ground services, where cars drive into pot holes never to be seen again (and yes I am talking about council owned ones not state or federally owned ones), fix the dire issue of change rooms for women's sport where men's sport has dominated for years, just to name 3 of hundreds of issues ignored by this absolute self aggrandising group of try hard politicians.
A heads-up for Monday 27 July 📱
At 2pm, mobile phones and some smart watches and tablets across Australia will receive a test of AusAlert, Australia’s new national emergency warning system.
Your device may vibrate and play a siren-like sound for about 10 seconds. The message will clearly state that it is a test, and no action is required.
AusAlert is expected to launch in October 2026 and will provide important information and instructions during emergencies.
More info in the comments below.
đź’ˇ Did you know?
In ABS statistics, an Australian citizen, even someone born here, can be counted as a migrant arrival when they return home after living or working overseas.
It is a useful reminder that statistics are often more complicated than the headline suggests.
Before accepting the facts and figures shared on social media, take a moment to ask what is being counted, how it is defined and what might be missing.
Numbers can inform a debate, but they can also be selectively used to shape a particular view.
Irrespective, another person adds to housing and infrastructure shortages…
We're all going to make a better 🙏 🌎🇦🇺 As this debate is about Hatred towards others. All systems should work together to ensure more Efficient processes for Everyone. Negative gearing is a JOKE. ZOMBIES creates 💔🥶
Congratulations to Susan Barbara Springfield of Mulgrave on receiving a King’s Birthday Honour for her service to the communities of Mulgrave and Springvale North.
A well-deserved recognition of her dedication to our local community.
Congratulations to Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Anthony Maloney (Retd) of Wheelers Hill on receiving a King’s Birthday Honour for his service to rugby union and the community.
A wonderful recognition of many years of commitment and contribution.
