Inquiry into Commonwealth Grants Administration: Your message

Section51 is in the unique position of receiving an invitation to appear in front of the Inquiry into Commonwealth Grants Administration. As the invitation says:

Inquiry into Commonwealth Grants Administration
The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit invites representatives of Section51 to appear at public hearings on Friday 17 March 2023 for the Committee’s inquiry into Commonwealth Grants Administration. The purpose of the hearing is to further explore the matters raised in your submission to the inquiry, as relevant to the inquiry’s terms of reference.

Terms of Reference
The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) will inquire into and report on Commonwealth grants administration with a view to strengthening the integrity and administration of grants.

The inquiry will have particular regard to:

• The status of recommendations included in the JCPAA’s Report 484 The Administration of Government Grants
• Any matters contained in or connected with the following Auditor-General's Reports:
  
  • No. 47 (2020-21) Administration of Commuter Car Park Projects within the Urban Congestion Fund
    
  • No. 16 (2021-22) Awarding of Funding under the Safer Communities Program
    
  • No. 21 (2021-22) Operation of Grants Hubs
    
  • No. 1 (2022-23) Award of Funding under the Building Better Regions Fund
    
• Equity, decision-making and matters relating to the allocation of funding under the following grant programs:
  
  • Urban Congestion Fund
    
  • Regional Growth Fund
    
  • Modern Manufacturing Initiative
    
• Possible changes to the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Guidelines.
  

Section51 submission to the Inquiry

Section51 provided a submission to the inquiry in October 2022. The key message of the Section51 submission is that there should be a return to the real purpose of a grant, to deliver Commonwealth policy outcomes, in partnership with all councils around Australian, including a restore fairness and equity in the grants system.

Do you have a message on grants for the Australian Government?

Section51 has a very unique opportunity to provide a positive message to the Inquiry on the future of grants for local government.

While emphasising that the hearing will be from the Section51 perspective, and that this is not a formal survey or request in in way, Colin would be interested to hear your perspective on what the one or two key messages you would like to have delivered to this inquiry. The approach Colin is taking is looking to the future, not the past, with the theme of what would make up a fair and equitable grants process.

Your thoughts will be extremely valuable in delivering an improved grants system for all councils across Australia and can be provided anonymously.

This is a wonderful opportunity to make a difference for the future of a fair and equitable grants process. If you would like to provide your message on grants please send an email to [email protected] or call Colin on 0423 337 563.