Cath Bowtell

Some information was released overnight about the LNP Housing Plan, ahead of today's State Budget reply speech. While there are still many details to come, it's encouraging to see some of the proposed measures in scope, including shared equity programs and major infrastructure partnerships with local government to increase housing supply. New and innovative concepts for maximising church-owned land and utiliising vacant bedrooms make for interesting reading. And if the reports are accurate, there is a strong commitment to achieving housing targets leading up to 2046. Q Shelter is looking forward to unpacking all the details and providing useful budget analysis for the sector. This will include areas of convergence with the major parties on housing policy and differences in approaches. https://lnkd.in/g6FcR_Qh Stay tuned. #StateBudget #Housing #Homelessness #HomeMatters #BetterTogether #Queensland

18

3 Comments

The Canberra Times today published that the ACT Integrity Commission has found that a former Community Services Directorate public servant engaged in "reprehensible conduct", but the details of the report remain secret. The article states that the Commission's investigation involved conflict of interest and fraud. Its recommendations include that the ACT Government should ensure that people who have had adverse findings from the Commission are not able to be re-employed in the territory's public service. This is not enough. Unfortunately, these recommendations will not stop people capable of reprehensible conduct being employed elsewhere like community service charity providers or other organisations with vulnerable clients or staff. The ACT is small community - so people are known - but still the wrong people end up in the jobs where harm, maladministration or misuse of funds can occur. We need to do more to stop incompetent or corrupt people working in these sectors. We need to be better at calling out these behaviors and having better governance arrangements. Let's stop the secrecy.

13

The ACT Government welcomes the wide range of initiatives in the 2024-25 Commonwealth Budget that will benefit Canberrans and our city. We know that Canberra households have faced significantly rising costs over the past two years. The $300 Energy Bill Relief for every household in the ACT will provide much needed relief for nearly two hundred thousand Canberra households. Across the five jurisdictions in the National Electricity Market the ACT will continue to have the lowest standing offers in 2024-25 after other jurisdictions increased by up to 29% last financial year. The ACT Government will assess further energy bill relief for Canberra households in the June Territory Budget once the ICRC final price determination is known. The redesigned Stage 3 Tax Cuts will provide income tax relief to every worker in the ACT from 1 July 2024. Collectively, ACT residents will benefit the most from these tax cuts as we have a high proportion of pay-as-you-earn taxpayers in the relevant income tax brackets. We welcome the changes to the tax cuts that were designed to support lower and middle income workers to manage cost of living pressures. While rising cost of living pressures have been broad based, households’ ability to deal with these pressures is unevenly distributed, impacting employees substantially more than others. Almost four in every five taxpayers in the ACT will receive a larger tax cut compared to the previous Liberal Government’s plan. We also welcome the HECS debt relief for 57,000 people in the ACT, predominantly providing support to younger Canberrans who have recently graduated. The changes, particularly the fact they have been backdated, are a necessary intervention to avoid unfair outcomes for young workers now and into the future. The ACT has the highest proportion of university level educational attainment in the country so, collectively, Canberrans will be the greatest beneficiaries from these changes. The deeming rates freeze will also provide additional cost of living relief to an estimated 14,500 income support recipients in Canberra. Additionally, the Federal Government’s investment through the Strengthening Medicare fund in partnership with the ACT Government will take the pressure off our hospital system and continue to ensure Canberrans get the care they need when they need it. This investment will strengthen our partnership to make our nurse-led walk-in centres even better, delivering more healthcare workers and more services and ensure we can better support older Canberrans can stay out of hospital and get home sooner. We also support the decision in the Budget to freeze the cost of medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. The increase of Commonwealth Rent Assistance by a further 10 per cent, building on the 15 per cent increase in last year’s Budget will benefit approximately 7,300 Canberra households.

37

Mayoral Memo 130 Securing grants is increasingly becoming a complex and competitive process for councils. With many councils vying for the same limited funds, the challenge is not just about winning the grant but also about managing the uncertainties and costs associated with the application process. Over the last six financial years, Dubbo Regional Council has received varying amounts in capital grants: Starting from $35M in the 2017/18 financial year followed by $28M; $17M; $28M; $29M and then $30M in 2022/2023. These figures highlight a three-year decline followed by a three-year increase, illustrating the unpredictability in grant funding. This inconsistency makes budgeting extremely difficult, as councils must plan their finances without knowing how much grant money will be available. Applying for grants is not a cost-free endeavour. Smaller councils, in particular, face the tough decision of whether to invest in the application process without any guarantee of success. This financial strain can sometimes lead them to forgo applying altogether. The cost of preparing a comprehensive grant application can be substantial, encompassing staff time and external consultancy fees. The Federal Government's Financial Assistance Grants offer a more predictable source of funding. These untied grants are allocated based on a formula and provide councils with a reliable income stream to use as they see fit. I am currently sitting in chilly Canberra at the ALGA Regional Forum. The first point that the President made in her opening address was that financial sustainability is the number one issue facing councils. However, we cannot solely rely on government funding to achieve financial sustainability. In a proactive move towards financial stability, Dubbo Regional Council has embarked on a public-private partnership (PPP) with Squadron Energy. This project, valued at $3.6M, has received initial approval to proceed from the Office of Local Government. Effective partnerships hinge on mutual benefit, and our agreement with Squadron Energy is a testament to this principle. Squadron needed to secure approximately 2 gigalitres of water over five years. One option was to purchase temporary water licenses on the open market at an estimated cost of $700,000. Dubbo Regional Council has a strategic plan to upgrade our wastewater treatment capabilities, and typically we would look for grants. In discussions with Squadron, we reached an MOU where they agreed to fund the $3.6M construction of an advanced wastewater treatment facility. In return, they will have access to the water they need and then the Dubbo community will have access to an additional 700Ml of water treated to a higher standard. While the journey to financial sustainability is fraught with challenges, innovative solutions and strategic partnerships can pave the way for a more secure financial future for Dubbo and other councils across Australia.

1

Today the Chief Minister and Treasurer Eva Lawler presented the 2024 Budget, a common sense focussed on reducing crime and getting more Territorians into work. These are just some of the inclusions: 🏫 Planning for a Secondary Special School (as a mum of a child with Special needs, this is something I have been advocating for over the last few years) 🏈 Development of Woodroffe oval to a multi-sport facility 🤝Support for our Veterans and their families through Operation Thrive 👨‍🦳120 bed Residential Aged Care facility in Palmerston 👮‍♀️Record breaking investment in our Police - Resources, Infrastructure, Technology and Housing - much needed support for our frontline in the fight against crime 🏥 Increased funding for Health resources, services and infrastructure 🛑 Funding for Public Order and Safety as well as social protection to build safer communities 💵 Cost of Living support ++++++ so much more!! This is a common sense budget, focussed on what matters most to all Territorians. I am extremely proud to support the Lawler Territory Labor Government. #LowerCrime #IncreaseEmploymentOpportunities #ImproveEducation #ProvideMoreHousing

10

1 Comment

Take a look at the newest edition of the Public Sector Journal from IPANZ, the Institute of Public Administration New Zealand. This issue covers: - Realising the potential of the first 2000 days: A social investment opportunity. - Embracing accountability: Chief Ombudsman New Zealand, Peter Boshier's reflections on public sector complaints processes. - He Māori Ahau conference: Empowering Māori in public service. - Why ethical AI and governance is just good information management practice, with Stephen Clarke MRIM. - Meaningful performance reporting: How do we get there? John Ryan, Controller and Office of the Auditor-General, New Zealand. - Cracking the code: What drives our behaviours and how to harness them for policy-making, with Abigail Bender. - Digital public infrastructure explained Luke Collier outlines what digital public infrastructure is and why the public sector and all of Aotearoa New Zealand need to get on board with it. - Kiwis under the lens: An inside look at New Zealand’s social media surveillance, with Rachel Levinson-Waldman. - Is New Zealand a world leader in public budgeting? derek gill looks at New Zealand’s Open Budget survey results and highlights the need for continuous improvement. - Zaira Najam reviews the 'Here Now' podcast episode and the recently published book 'Social Developments' written by Tim Garlick. - Learn about the Policy Project, based at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. I have been a member of IPANZ for several years, and recently joined as a member of their Journal Advisory Group because I see real value from this organization. If you have topics you think should be covered in future issues, pass me a message. If you are a public servant, you likely have more access than you know through your employer's membership status. Take a look at some of the resources, training, events and the Journal. Thanks Kay for the connection.

2

Support at Home is going to lead to lots of unforeseen dynamics. With an 80% co-contribution, purchasing gardening and domestic assistance through SAH won't make sense for self-funded retirees, since the additional regulatory overheads from being a regulated provider will probably exceed the 20% subsidy. This is pretty obvious, and possibly the intended result. A good case can be made for people with means purchasing cleaning and gardening using their own resources. However, if people purchase non-clinical services privately, providers will get less care management funding since the proposal is to base care management funding on 10% of a person's package. This is partly mitigated by care management being pooled. But it's a bit strange to make providers use funds from pensioners to cross subsidise underfunding for self-funded retirees. #agedcare

44

13 Comments

Earlier today, together with Chief Executive Chris McLay and Councillor Warren Maher (Chair of the Strategy and Policy Committee), I spoke to Waikato Regional Council's submission on the Fast Track Approval Bill, being heard by the Environment Select Committee. Many people speaking to the select committee serve communities to improve their quality of life, to support regional economies, and to ensure the longevity of the environment that we all enjoy. To do this effectively we need an understandable, implementable and defensible statutory framework. WRC supports the intention to provide a simplified consenting pathway for significant projects, and I acknowledge the economic productivity outcomes being sought by the Bill. We want the Waikato to continue its significant contribution to the country, but we are mindful that this must occur within a frame of responsible environmental management. In essence we support a fast-track process which ensures the right projects are enabled in the right places and in a manner that does not create unintended consequences or legacy impact for our ratepayers, communities and our environment. Our submission provides recommendations to improve workability, clarity and certainty for those using and providing input to the fast-track approvals process. Here are some of our recommendations: 🔹 Cost-recovery provisions need to be extended to include all reasonable costs incurred by councils in participating in fast-track processes. As stewards of ratepayer investment our council is focused on who covers the costs of the new process. 🔹 Final decisions on approvals, including setting consent conditions, should be made by the expert panel. This has worked well in the previous fast track consent process. 🔹 We want certainty that comments from local authorities be effectively considered. 🔹 That the Bill requires a more balanced consideration of economic and environmental matters and that prohibited activities (in a resource management planning document) be listed as ineligible activities. 🔹 That the Bill requires consideration of a project’s potential impacts on council assets such as drainage and flood protection schemes and that any upgrades to these schemes required following approvals under the Bill are funded by the applicant. We believe there's potential for the Bill to achieve the economic outcomes it seeks. But in its current form there are some potentially unintended consequences and unfunded mandates. We think improvements can be made to ensure efficiency of process and management of the impacts can occur. Regional councils play a significant role in providing expert advice on fast-track applications. We believe voices of local authorities should be strongly considered in the development of the Bill, particularly given the reduction in councils’ responsibilities in exercising their own plans and policies which are developed in conjunction with, and funded entirely by, our communities.

17

1 Comment

On Monday night, I had the privilege of speaking to 90 Hastings City Business Association members about the Hastings District Council - Te Kaunihera ā-Rohe o Heretaunga Draft Long Term Plan, alongside Mayor Sandra and our dedicated Council team. This plan has sparked strong feelings, and rightly so, as it includes a proposed average rate increase of 25% in year one... during a time when many of us are feeling the strain of rising living costs. Like I did on Monday, I wanted to post here to give you some context on the draft Long Term Plan, and the difficult decisions that shaped it. 𝗖𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 Cyclone Gabrielle left a lasting impact on our district, with extensive damage to roads, bridges, and infrastructure. Hastings’ share of cyclone recovery costs is approx. $230 million, all of which will need to be borrowed… at a time when interest rates have never been so high, and materials have never cost so much. For this reason, an 8% targeted cyclone recovery rate has been proposed in year one of the LTP, which will pay for resilient roads, bridges, and quality water infrastructure that will rebuild and sustain our community for future generations. 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 The remaining 17% covers our base rates, which include essential maintenance and renewals of services like drinking water, wastewater, and maintaining roads and other key assets/infrastructure. This base rate also includes the interest costs associated with our community's debt. Every cent of this debt has been consulted on and approved by our community to fund projects that offer long-term, inter-generational benefits, such as: • Water Infrastructure: $157 million invested after the Havelock North water crisis. • Historic buildings: $30 million invested to restore and upgrade Toitoi • Parks and CBD upgrades: $31 million • Recovery Work: $44 million has already been spent on cyclone recovery in the past 15 months. 𝗘𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝘂𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗹𝘀 We're "cutting our cloth" by proposing delaying or cutting non-essential projects and prioritising our core services: • Proposed Deferrals: Library rebuild, new cycle-ways, and non-critical park enhancements have all been delayed to prioritise immediate needs. • Proposed Cuts: Unfortunately, some services have to be cut altogether. For instance, the proposed closure of the Frimley Pools reducing city centre upgrades, and stopping non-essential events are all measures aimed at reducing our rates increases and staying focused on what's critical. 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗩𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀! We understand these rates increases put incredible strain on households, and that's why we are making considered cuts and proposing spending only where it matters most. Your voice matters, and we need your feedback! Please share your thoughts on our plans at www.myvoicemychoice.co.nz by 27 May.

29

3 Comments

Per Capita Australia is one of the nation’s leading think tanks. Thanks to Per Capita and Emma Dawson for inviting me to deliver a presentation on the 2024-25 Budget. This Budget was handed down in the context of having to continue to align fiscal and monetary policy in a way that maintains downward pressure on inflation while providing targeted and meaningful assistance to people experiencing cost of living pressures. The key measures of the Budget strike this balance: the reworking of the Stage 3 tax cuts, the $300 energy subsidies, rental assistance and other measures including cheaper medicines. In addition, the Budget has an eye to the long-term through its investment in skills (fee-free TAFE) and investment in key sectors associated with the transition of a net zero economy. I also discussed the role that uncertainty (as opposed to quantifiable risk) plays in policy decision-making (in relation to both fiscal and monetary policy). Uncertainty has been a key element of economic theory since the days of Frank Knight and John Maynard Keynes in the 1930s through to Mariana Mazzucato today. I believe that, in light of the uncertainty that inevitably accompanies this stage of the monetary cycle, the government has achieved the right balance in this Budget while also investing for the future.

36

3 Comments

ASIC released its 2024-2025 Corporate Plan in August 2024 highlighting, amongst other things, enforcement objectives focusing on greenwashing, DDO non-compliance and predatory lending (similar to the previous year). ASIC has also announced it will be conducting surveillance of compliance with RG 271, IDR processes and complaints reporting. In this article, Timothy Chow and I review ASIC's prosecutorial focus areas in 2024. We encourage all of our financial services clients to consider their regulatory compliance - as to their frameworks, policies, procedures, requirements and remediation processes - and how they stay on top of key regulatory issues heading into 2025. There is significant regulatory change coming in data privacy, financial crime and ESG and climate focused regulatory requirements in 2025, so making sure your risk and compliance systems and processes are up-to-date, robust and adaptable for regulatory change is essential #regulatorychange #climate #compliancematrices #strengthincompliance #regulatoryfocus #regulatorycompliance

27

We can all say things. So, hypothetically, I might say about 10% of politicians are good, like should be secretary of state good, but there’s another 10% who are such self-absorbed, talentless click-baiters that they create a toxic environment around them. My latest column for Civil Service World

15

Change is in the air… after near 12 years of service to the board, members, investors, staff and partners of Australian Ethical Investment, today we announced my retirement as Non-Executive Director. I’m delighted to stay on as a member of the Australian Ethical Foundation board, helping to inform distribution of grants for game-changing benefits to people and planet, including through deep, strategic climate action. https://lnkd.in/gitjP4Xu The visionary people who established Australian Ethical in 1986 had the foresight to invest according to the principles of the Australian Ethical Charter which has withstood the test of time. From $3.8 million in assets under management at foundation, to $190 million by 2002 and around $500 million as I joined the board in 2013, generations of leaders have held true to investing ethically. As I retire, funds under management exceed $10 billion, and AE is recognised as one of Morningstar’s eight global ESG leaders (the only asset manager in Australia). It’s hard to imagine this ride: AE’s impact has scaled from being an exciting idea, to proving that it is truly possible to do good while doing well. The share price has grown from 20 cents when I joined the board in early 2013 to over $4 today. Over the past twelve months, the AE Australian Shares superannuation option has delivered 13.8% returns, and it is rated #1 for returns over the past 10 years according to SuperRatings SR50 Shares Index as of 30 June 2024. A real highlight has been that when I joined the board, the entire investment team was male - we now have a significant and growing female investment team cohort and our flagship Aussie equities fund is led by Portflio Manager Deana Mitchell: how good is that?? The people of AE are incredible. Huge thanks to STEVE GIBBS our Chairman and fellow Directors, Kate Greenhill , Julie Orr and Sandra McCullagh. Also to Phil Vernon who played a crucial role in setting up the business to scale, and the many who went before. Mega thanks to CEO John McMurdo who has built an exceptional team of awesome individuals who we trust for the next chapter of this amazing Australian Story! It has been an incredible ride and I look forward to remaining as an investor and super fund member, because - for sure - the best is yet to come!

275

54 Comments

Removing political rhetoric and focusing on the need to boost home building across all of Australia, and reduce the reliance upon the NCC, there needs to be a nationally recognised Permissions Scheme (Registration). Such a scheme would include: >Trade Registration (for qualified & unqualified trade participants and trainees) >Conditional Registration (aligned to capabilities & specific classes of buildings) >CPD (targeted upskilling) All supported by a Code of Conduct for Registered Building Practitioners (registration controls & industry regulator oversight) outlining the need for adherence to: >Codes of Practice (trade specific - Waterproofing etc) >NCC >Australian Standards (including updated waterproofing/watershedding) >Security of Payment Act >Taxation Law >Integrity Then the regulators will have 'line of sight' of the vast majority of industry participants, and the ability to influence career pathways and HARM producing behaviors. Sustainable and supportable. Visibility and Education are everything.

2

Evelyn Halls OAM, Fiona Guthrie, and Robert Allen ASIC delved into the shifting landscape of community expectations around lender hardship practices. This panel shared practical strategies for embedding fairness in hardship processes, managing long-term hardship cases, and upholding ethical standards during crises. Thank you, Evelyn Halls OAM, Fiona Guthrie, and Robert Allen, for your insights on how lenders can rise to meet both regulatory and community expectations on this important issue. #Arca #ASIC #ANZ #Wayforward #arcacreditsummit

39

1 Comment

The Allan Labor Government has issued a new cost escalation guide for public infrastructure projects as dozens school upgrades, office refurbishments, rectification works and public transport upgrades suffer cost blowouts. Whether it’s building the North East Link or delivering a minor office refurb, Labor cannot manage projects and Victorians are paying the price. Financial mismanagement has consequences. A decade of waste and cost blowouts under Labor has driven Victoria’s debt to a record high which is now starving funding from frontline health, education, infrastructure and community safety services. Under the Allan Labor Government, cost blowouts on projects big, small and everything in between have become the norm and every dollar wasted is one less for desperately needed frontline services across the state. This new blowout guide is an admission that Labor cannot manage money and has lost control of delivery of projects of all sizes.

2

1 Comment

Are you thinking of starting a self-managed super fund (SMSF), or have you started one recently? If so, the ATO can help. We have been busy developing a number of guides to help you navigate the various stages of your SMSF's lifecycle. You might have great advisers helping you, but ultimately YOU are responsible for running your own super fund so it's important that you understand your obligations. You can now access publications on starting an SMSF, winding up an SMSF, and our latest edition – running an SMSF. Our latest publication supports SMSF trustees with information on accepting contributions and rollovers, managing your fund’s investments, paying super benefits, and reporting and administration. You can access our guides at https://lnkd.in/gg34xnhJ #SMSF #superannuation #ATO #tax #retirement

37

1 Comment

How is your council supporting its incoming councillors to be effective communicators? In just over a month, Victorian councils will have new boards of directors. The dynamic and ever-changing local government environment requires these leaders to be able to: ·        build trust with stakeholders ·        advocate strongly for resources ·        perform well in media interviews ·        deliver engaging and inspiring speeches ·        convey their viewpoint with clarity and confidence ·        engage hearts and minds in achieving the community vision. All the while: ·        staying calm under pressure ·        being informative and persuasive ·        communicating with both logic and empathy ·        coming across with authenticity and credibility ·        ensuring message, voice and body language alignment. The RESONATE Advanced Communication Skills for Local Government Leaders training covers: ·        Personal communication ·        Stakeholder communication ·        Media interviews ·        Speeches and presentations ·        Social media communication For more than 30 years, I’ve mentored and trained hundreds of local government leaders to be more effective communicators, in both day-to-day communications and in times of crisis. Want to know more? Post RESONATE in the comments section or send me a DM, and I’ll send you the brochure. #LocalGovernment #CommunicationSkills #LeadershipCommunication #EnhanceYourReputation

20

2 Comments

Putting consumers first in the Consumer Data Right. Read the latest speech from Minister Jones on the challenges and opportunities of the CDR, and how the government is resetting to reduce costs and increase uptake. #CDR #treasury #ceda #auspol

23