NO.022

PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION RESEARCH STUDY INTO LOCAL GOVERNMENT OWN-SOURCE REVENUE

The Treasurer today announced that the Productivity Commission will undertake a study to examine local government’s own revenue sources.

This study will provide the States and Territories with a clearer picture of local government’s financial capacities and the sources of revenue available to them.

The study will examine the capacity of different types of councils to raise revenue, the impact of the various revenue sources available to local government, and the regulatory environment surrounding local government’s revenue raising capacity.

The Productivity Commission is required to provide a final report within twelve months.

Professor Cliff Walsh has been appointed to the Productivity Commission as an Associate Commissioner for this study.  Professor Walsh has a long history of involvement in the development, implementation and evaluation of public policy at Commonwealth, state and local government level.  Professor Walsh has previously been appointed as an Associate Commissioner to the Commission Inquiry Road and Rail Freight Infrastructure Pricing.

Further information on the study can be obtained from the Productivity Commission’s website at www.pc.gov.au or by contacting the Commission directly on (02) 6240 3239.

MELBOURNE

4 April 2007

Contact:

David Gazard –

03 9650 0244