In the lead up to the Federal election, Yarra Council will be advocating to all local candidates and parties for strong action on matters that are important to our community.
Advocacy and representing the views of the community is a core function of all councils.
We will be advocating for a range of policy reforms, projects and initiatives which are integral to Yarra's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and to building a fairer, more sustainable future for our community.
At the Council meeting on 29 March 2022, we adopted Federal election advocacy priorities, which seek action and investment from Federal election candidates in the following key areas:
Continuing to meet the challenge of COVID-19
- Providing national leadership with a strong, robust public health response to COVID-19.
- Working with State Governments to ensure national consistency in the responses to COVID-19.
- Agreeing nationally consistent and fair support payments for individuals, families and business impacted by COVID-19.
- Ensuring a voice for Local Government at National Cabinet.
Responding to the climate emergency
- Accelerating Australia's carbon emission reductions and working with local communities to adapt to a changing climate.
- Supporting the development of a circular economy and taking real action to reduce waste.
- Providing national leadership to support industry development and the take-up of electric vehicles (EV) powered by renewable energy.
- Making government and public sector procurement more sustainable.
- Improving local biodiversity and the natural environment.
- Providing national leadership to support climate action in the property and building sectors.
Creating an open and inclusive Australia
- Freeing all children and adults from any form of detention, and quickly resettling them in our community.
- Providing a clear pathway to a permanent resettlement solution for refugees and people seeking asylum.
- Providing the appropriate funding and support for anyone who arrived by sea after 2013, including for the provision of community, health and employment services.
- Committing to give the 1,010 people who have no durable solution, and the 425 who have a possible durable solution a home that supports the ability to apply for employment, access education and contribute to society.
- Taking stronger action against racism in all its forms.
- Creating a fair and prosperous economy
- Partnering with the City of Yarra to invest in a local economic stimulus package targeted to support those businesses impacted most by lockdowns and COVID restrictions.
- Taking real and lasting action to create a fairer economy and society.
Investing in local infrastructure
- Providing funding for the refurbishment and redevelopment of local sport and recreation facilities to support local jobs and active living across Yarra.
- Increasing and continuing funding for the Federal Government's Black Spot and Roads to Recovery programs to improve road safety.
- A nationally agreed roadmap to shift Federal Government infrastructure and transport funding towards public and active transport projects.
- Provide $1.5 million for detailed design, scoping and preparatory works for the Cremorne Revitalisation Project (Stage 1), delivering upgrades and improvements to the streetscape, public realm and transport and traffic flow along Cremorne Street.
We will be making representations to all election candidates on these matters in the lead up to the Federal election, which is expected to be called soon.
For full details of our advocacy priorities, see our Australian Election Advocacy Priorities document (PDF).
