Inter-Government
Australia is a pluralist democracy - that means that our interests can be represented by more than one form of representative government. Our system allows Commonwealth, State and Local Government to form different views, even opposing views and to question each other's behaviour because we believe that makes for better democracy, greater transparency and tests politicians.
The challenge for Governments is to know how to participate in robust debate but at the same time ensure planning, infrastructure and services are co-ordinated and that programs are delivered seamlessly to communities.
SA has a long history of State and Local Governments seeking to work effectively together - while maintaining their independence and capacity to represent differing views of their communities.
State/Local Government Relations Agreement
A formal agreement endorsed by the SA Cabinet and the LGA State Executive Committee and originally signed in March, 2004, by then LGA President, the late Cr John Legoe, and Premier Mike Rann, sets out principles, processes and arrangements designed to achieve better co-ordination between State and Local Government in SA. An updated version of the agreement which took into account the national Inter-Governmental Agreement was signed in 2006. Copies of the Circular and joint media release issued in 2004 with the original signing can be found here: LGA Circular_11.3 and media release.
In 2012 a renewed and revitalised Agreement was signed by LGA President Mayor Kym McHugh and the Premier, the Hon Jay Weatherill, MP and the Minister for State / Local Government Relations, the Hon Russell Wortley, MLC. The 2012 agreement can be viewed / downloaded here.
The Agreement incorporates an annual Schedule of Priorities which is available here.
The Agreement also sets out a role for the Minister's State/Local Government Relations Forum as a mechanism for addressing certain significant and complex issues.
Consultation on Legislation
State Cabinet and the LGA State Executive Committee have agreed (April 2005) on model consultation processes where amendments to legislation are proposed which could impact on Local Government. The process divides matters into four areas with different requirements for each:
- Category 1: Core Local Government Legislative Matter
- Category 2: Significant impact on Local Government ie. resources, powers/constraints and/or reliance on implementation
- Category 3: Same impact as others (ie. other groups/organisations)
- Category 4: No impact
A copy of a flowchart describing the processes can be downloaded here: Consultation Flowchart for Legislative Proposals 
(46 kb) and a copy of the summary paper to accompany the flowchart can be downloaded here.
Minister's State/Local Government Relations Forum
More details about the Forum including records of its meetings can be found on this website - click here.
State Election 2010
The LGA presented a strong campaign to ensure the voice of SA communities was heard throughout the 2010 State Election. The LGA campaign included a series of platform documents, media releases and videos by the LGA President, Mayor's / Chairpersons or their representatives on a dedicated website to support the call to all political parties for 'Our Part of SA'.
National Relationships
Local Government is represented nationally through the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) which is a federation of State Local Government Associations. The ALGA President is a full voting member of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG). Its website can be found here: http://www.alga.asn.au/ The LGA, ALGA and SA Councils are participating in the Australian Government's Australian Council of Local Governments initiative. More information on ACLG can be found here: http://www.aclg.gov.au/
In 2006 an historic intergovernmental agreement was signed by the Commonwealth, all State and Territory jurisdictions and the ALGA on behalf of Local Government. Known as the 'Cost-shifting IGA' the agreement can be found here: IGA on cost shifting or on this Commonwealth website: LGPMC, This agreement was a direct outcome of the Hawker Inquiry into "Cost Shifting" - refer below.
Council of Australian Governments
The ALGA is also represented at the peak intergovernmental council in the nation, the Council of Australian Governments, or "CoAG". CoAG is chaired by the Prime Minister and includes all State Premiers and Territory Chief Ministers along with the president of the ALGA. More about CoAG can be found here: http://www.coag.gov.au/,
Australian Council of Local Government
In 2008 the Commonwealth established a new forum to enhance communication between the Commonwealth and Local Government. Known as the Australian Council of Local Government, or ACLG, the structure brings together all Mayors from across Australia and the leaders of the ALGA and State Associations once a year. It also has a steering group. More information can be found about ACLG here: http://www.aclg.gov.au/.
Local Government and Planning Minister's Conference
National, State and Territory Ministers responsible for Local Government relationships also meet regularly along with the ALGA. More information about the LGPMC can be found here: http://www.lgpmcouncil.gov.au/.
2010 Federal Election
For the 2010 Federal Election the LGA believed that it was time for the voice of South Australians to be heard on issues where the Federal Government must take action. The LGA developed a Federal Election Platform document to reflect the key issues facing local communities in South Australia: A Platform for South Australian Communities. The LGA also used video and other media to ensure our message was heard across Australia.
Hawker Report
As a result of the Hawker Report (Rates and Taxes: A Fair Share for Responsible Local Government) discussions are under way over the potential for an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) at the national level between all three spheres of government. That report also called for an end to Cost-Shifting onto Councils by other Governments and a fairer distribution of Commonwealth funding. The IGA, which was also supported by the LGA's independent Inquiry into the Financial Sustainability of Local Government can be found here.
"Rates and Taxes: A Fair Share for Responsible Local Government"
A Commonwealth Parliamentary inquiry undertook a major review of the financial impact of relationships of Commonwealth and State governments with Local Government. The report of the inquiry was tabled in the Parliament in November, 2003. Further details of the report and links to the report and other information can be found on this site: click here.
Background/Reference material
The attached document was prepared in advance of the 2003 State Election to highlight key intergovernmental relations issues: Future Directions Program 2001 06 (50 kb)
The LGA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the SA Premier in 1990. A copy of that agreement and a background paper to the accompanying review of Local-State Relations can be downloaded:
(Please note that these are large files which may take some time to download)
1990 Memorandum of Understanding - Premier and LGA President (214 kb)
1991 Background Paper on Review of Local-State Relations (4231 kb)
The ALGA led approaches seeking improved intergovernment relationships with several publications in the early 1990s and a formal agreement with the Commonwealth in 1995:
(Please note that these are large files which may take some time to download)
ALGA Partnership Protocols (381 kb)
Better Services for Local Communities Pt 1 - ALGA 1990 (2421 kb)
Better Services for Local Communities Pt 2 - ALGA 1990 (2660 kb)
Integrated Local Area Planning (ILPA) Guide - 1993 (4295 kb)
