With the next Federal Election just weeks away, the WA Local Government Association (WALGA) is calling on all parties and candidates to support increasing Financial Assistance Grants to Local Government.
WALGA President Cr Karen Chappel said that restoring Financial Assistance Grants to at least one percent of Commonwealth taxation revenue would ensure every community can participate in and benefit from Australia’s economic recovery.
“Local Governments in WA provide and maintain community infrastructure and services across one-third of the continent, employing approximately 22,600 people.” Cr Chappel said.
“We provide localised, frontline solutions for our communities, we create jobs, and we support the local economy.
“Financial Assistance Grants are a lifeline for WA Local Governments to manage their infrastructure and grow vibrant communities.”
Cr Chappel said that while this week’s Federal Budget provided $2.8 billion in Financial Assistance Grants funding, this equates to only 0.55 per cent of Commonwealth taxation revenue.
Independent analysis shows increasing Financial Assistance Grants to at least one percent of Commonwealth taxation revenue would create 16,000 jobs and add around $2.37 billion per year to Australia’s GDP.
Cr Chappel said Councils are also calling for an immediate and once-off $1.3 billion injection of Financial Assistance Grants to boost local economies.
“Through the pandemic, Local Governments demonstrated their ability to deliver projects and implement initiatives that directly address the specific needs of their communities,” Cr Chappel said.
“An immediate funding injection will enable Local Governments to further invest in their communities by providing new services and delivering capital projects.
“This would create a further 13,000 jobs and add more than $1.9 billion per year to our GDP.”
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