As the State Parliament’s Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee grapples with whether to maintain, wind back or extend the Victorian Charter of Human Rights, I am keen that our members are aware of the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission’s annual survey of local governments. The questions for local government are the same as those used in the 2010 Report to ensure the Commission can gather consistent comparative data. The 2010 Report questions mirrored the format of the VLGA’s Human Rights Toolkit, which looks at milestones in human rights implementation that are aimed at developing a more coordinated approach across all local governments. Hopefully this will reduce the reporting burden for local governments that choose to adopt the ‘Milestones’ approach to human rights implementation. I personally encourage you to speak among councillors, management and community members about the practical benefits of the Charter, and of course to encourage the participation of all 79 local governments in the online survey for local governments which will open on 29 August and close on 7 October. This week’s eNews features more VLGA and other events than usual, as there is so much happening of interest to local governments and communities. Please take the time to look at these events. In the meantime please don’t hesitate to give me a call to discuss issues of interest to you, on 0407 364 509 or drop me a line via email. Cheers.
Cr Samantha Dunn, President
Keeping you up to date
New Councillors Workshop
The VLGA is holding its next New Councillors Workshop on Saturday 24 September, 9am-2pm at 60 Leicester St in Carlton. This workshop is for councillors who have come into office in the last 12 months or so, and also features a follow-up segment for councillors who attended our previous workshop in March. Go online to see the draft program and registration form. For enquiries, please contact Sarah Colgan, Member Resources Officer, via email or telephone (03) 9349 7983.
Urban Renewal Authority Victoria Board Appointments
The Minister for Planning is seeking Expressions of Interest from individuals who wish to serve as directors on the Board of the Urban Renewal Authority Victoria (URA). Individuals with knowledge, skills or experience in the following specialist areas are encouraged to apply:
* the funding and delivery of infrastructure
* property and land development
* urban planning
* economics and financial management
* public administration
* corporate governance
* housing delivery, supply and affordability and,
* law, particularly commercial law
The URA Board will be comprised of up to nine directors who will be appointed by the Governor-in-Council upon the recommendation of the Minister. Appointments are made on a part-time basis and will be for a period of up to three years from the date of appointment. Remuneration will be paid to directors in accordance with State Government policy. Closing date is 19 August; further information is available on the DPCD Planning website.
Panel appointed on constitutional recognition of local government
The Gillard Government has today appointed the members of the independent expert panel that will progress the recognition of local government in the Australian Constitution. Led by former Chief Justice of the NSW Supreme Court, the Honourable James Spigelman AC QC, the panel members comprise representatives from a range of backgrounds and areas of expertise. Local Government Minister Simon Crean said the panel will consult with stakeholder groups and the community on options for recognising local government in the Constitution. "Under the guidance of Mr Spigelman, the panel members appointed today have been asked to look into the level of support for constitutional recognition of local government and to identify possible forms that recognition could take," Mr Crean said. "The panel will consult widely and the outcomes will help shape any proposal to put to a referendum”. The Government's commitment to establishing the panel is reflected in its agreement with the Greens and Independent MPs Tony Windsor and Andrew Wilkie. The panel will report back to the Government by the end of the year. The Australian Government is committed to holding a national referendum on this issue during the term of the current government or at the next Federal election. To succeed, the referendum must attract the support of a majority of votes nationally, and a majority of votes in a majority of states.
Call for support: Occasional Child Care Funding Campaign
The Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS) is campaigning on behalf of 220 Occasional Care Centres across Victoria that face losing their Take A Break government funding. They are supporting the Association of Neighbourhood Learning Centres (ANHLC) who is holding a demonstration on the steps of Parliament House in Melbourne to show their disappointment in the loss of this funding. The plan is to have hundreds of dolls, teddies and soft toys sitting on the steps of Parliament House, representing each of the children attending Occasional Care. The rally will be held this coming Thursday 18 August at 12 noon on the steps of Parliament House.
You mean we have rights? New interactive, online tool for young women
Alarmingly low awareness rates among young women about discrimination are being tackled with a new interactive online tool, myworkrights.com.au, launched yesterday by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission. Outgoing Commissioner Dr Helen Szoke said my work rights was developed in response to Commission research that revealed that more than a third of Victorian young women have been discriminated against at work and a third have been sexually harassed. my work rights is being promoted though Facebook and Twitter, and a my work rights ecard is available through Avant Card. For more details, read the media release or take the my work rights quiz.
Whole-of-government alcohol and drugs strategy
Local governments and communities are affected by the harms associated with drugs and alcohol, so it is only fitting that many may wish to have a say as the Victorian Government develops a whole-of-government Victorian alcohol and drug strategy. Its objectives are to:
* Decrease the current rates of alcohol and other drug abuse in Victoria
* Reduce the amount of harm that alcohol and other drug abuse causes in the community
* Increase access to treatment options so that people with an alcohol or drug problem can get help when they need it
An independent advisory group has been established to provide the Government with expert advice on alcohol and drugs issues and to inform the development of the strategy. The Government is keen to hear views from the community about priorities for action and how best to tackle the harms caused by alcohol and drugs. A community consultation paper and instructions about how to make a submission are available at the following Health Department website. Public submissions are open until 21 September. The website also includes information on the whole-of-government Victorian alcohol and drug strategy, links to previous reviews and reports relevant to the strategy, the terms of reference and membership of the Expert Advisory Group, and the media release on the strategy.
Events for your diary
VLGA events
Making human rights real
Wednesday 17 August, 11.30am-3.30pm
Grovedale Community Centre, 45 Heyers Road, Grovedale
Learn more about human rights and how to translate them into the work of your organisation. The Australian Centre of Human Rights Education at RMIT University, the VLGA and VCOSS are hosting a series of participatory workshops across Victoria to facilitate people’s understanding of human rights, the relevance of human rights to everyday life and to provide the tools to develop a human rights-based approach to service delivery and policy development in their organisation. Go to our website for more information and the registration form.
September LEF – Securing local business and jobs: exploring the barriers and opportunities
Thursday 1 September, 6-9pm
Ballarat City Council
Local governments in rural and regional areas are significant drivers of local economies. As well as directly employing a significant proportion of the local workforce, they procure goods and services which often support local businesses. However sometimes there is a difficult balance to maintain between getting best value in pure price terms, and giving best value to the local economy by procuring locally whenever possible. Come along to the joint Ballarat City Council and VLGA Leading Edge Forum to hear the myth dispelled that ‘local governments cannot be active in this space’. Download the flyer, and register online or via email by Monday 29 August.
Other events
Making sense of the draft carbon price legislation
TONIGHT Monday 15 August 2011, 5.30-7.30pm
Room 108, Melbourne Law School, 185 Pelham Street, Carlton
The Federal Government has released draft legislation to implement its ‘Clean Energy Future’ policy package. The government is inviting public submissions on the draft legislation by 22 August. It’s critical that environment groups and concerned individuals use this process to ensure public environmental interest. Environment Defenders Office (EDO) is holding this law reform workshop to help you make a submission. They will go through the key policy and legal issues and be on hand to answer any questions that you might have. Bookings are essential – please RSVP to EDO Victoria on (03) 8341 3100 or via email.
Transport for Suburbia: are suburban gardens to blame for automobile dependence?
Wednesday 17 August, 5.30-6.30pm
Level 7 conference rooms, Storey Hall, RMIT University, 336-348 Swanston St, Melbourne
This event will discuss the relationship between urban sprawl and why Melbourne’s public transport is not coping. Dr. Paul Mees is a senior lecturer in transport planning at RMIT University, and before becoming an academic he was a lawyer. Associate Professor Robert Nelson from Monash University is a critic interested in how the aesthetic interacts with the moral. Register online or email Chloe Blackman by 15 August.
Wednesday 17 August, 5.30-6.30pm
Level 7 conference rooms, Storey Hall, RMIT University, 336-348 Swanston St, Melbourne
TransAccess Mobility Support Expo
Wednesday 17 August, 10am-3pm
Kingston Arts Centre, Moorabbin
The second annual TransAccess Mobility Support Expo aims to provide information to people and organisations in Melbourne about services that support people’s access to the community. This free expo is an opportunity to see and talk to exhibitors from:
* public transport, taxi and community volunteer transport providers
* community organisations who support community access
* manufacturers and distributors of wheelchairs, scooters and other mobility aids
* vehicle conversion businesses
The IPCC story: science versus politics in the climate change debate
Wednesday 17 August, 6.30-8.00pm
GTAC (in the grounds of University High School) corner Royal Parade & Story Street, Parkville (enter off Story Street)
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is almost universally regarded as the definitive source of information on the science of climate change. Its assessments of the science are accepted by governments and widely supported by the climate science community. But it has also been criticised for politicising the science and for having become captive to both the proponents and the opponents of greenhouse gas reduction. This talk will explain the origins of the IPCC, describe how it works, and offer some comment on the scientific integrity of its reports. The speaker was involved in the establishment of the IPCC in 1988 and served as Principal Delegate of Australia to its sessions and a member of its Bureau for most of its first 20 years. Pizza and drinks after the talk.
Wednesday 17 August, 6.30-8.00pm
GTAC (in the grounds of University High School) corner Royal Parade & Story Street, Parkville (enter off Story Street)
Social Traders’ Breakfast Connect Series
Tuesday 30 August, 7.15-9am
RACV Club, 501 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Social Traders' Breakfast Connect Series will launch on 30 August bringing together socially responsible businesses with renowned speakers. The first session on Business Innovation: Step by Step will be presented by Jason Clarke – one of the most sought-after creative minds in the country. RSVP by email. Cost is $40 per head.
2011 Government Sustainability Conference
31 August – 1 September
The Sebel Albert Park, Melbourne
The 2011 Government Sustainability Conference will provide local and state government professionals and representatives of government agencies with comprehensive analysis and advice about how to ingrain environmentally sustainable policies and practices within their organisations and the communities they serve.
Bus Access Forum: How Accessible Are Our Buses?
Thursday 1 September 2011, 11am-2pm (Registration from 10am)
Endeavour Room at Etihad Stadium, 740 Bourke St, Docklands (enter Gate 4)
COTA and VCOSS are working with the Department of Transport to seek the community’s views on buses and bus services. In recent years, there have been significant investments in bus services. The Department of Transport is interested in better understanding the impact of these changes, particularly for senior Victorians, people with a disability, and those travelling with small children.
Thursday 1 September 2011, 11am-2pm (Registration from 10am)
Endeavour Room at Etihad Stadium, 740 Bourke St, Docklands (enter Gate 4)
The following topics will be explored:
* The design of buses
* Bus stops
* Bus routes
* How buses do or don’t work for you
Strictly limited places: early registration essential! To register online, visit http://busforum.eventbrite.com. If you have difficulties registering online, email Michelle Lane or call (03) 9654 5050.
Culture: A New Way of Thinking for Local Government
Tuesday 4 October, 9am-5pm
Melbourne Town Hall
How the inclusion of culture with social, environmental and economic policies strengthens local governance. This conference will include diverse perspectives on cultural policy from across the Asia-Pacific region. Conference topics will include:
* Can positive change be expected as a result of the Declaration?
* How can the Declaration assist councils to achieve best outcomes for their communities?
* What are the different ways 'culture' is interpreted and how do these influence local government policies in relation to the arts?
Keynote speaker will be Catherine Cullen, President of the UCLG Committee for Culture, and Deputy Mayor in charge of Culture since 2001, City of Lille, France. The conference is hosted by the Cultural Development Network in partnership with United Cities and Local Governments Asia-Pacific region, the Municipal Association of Victoria, the City of Melbourne, and Arts Victoria. More information at www.culturaldevelopment.net.au.
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