Access and equity
ALGA is committed to improving access and equity in local government. All members of the community wishing to participate in a local community have a right to fair equitable, and open access to programs and services provided by local councils.
Services for all: Promoting access and equity in local government
The ALGA publication Services for all: Promoting access and equity in local government (PDF 735 kB) is designed to assist councils in taking a proactive approach to providing access to quality services and 'a fair go' for all residents. Services for all allows councils throughout Australia to assess and develop their response to demands for access and equity and incorporate the principles of access and equity into their corporate planning processes.
Charter of public service in a culturally diverse society
In 1998 ALGA endorsed the Charter of public service in a culturally diverse society, which guides all spheres of government in responding to the needs of all Australians through the principles of access, equity, communication, responsiveness, effectiveness, efficiency and accountability.
Access and equity annual reports
In 2004, in recognition of the increasing activity of local governments in responding to diversity by developing inclusive approaches to service planning and delivery, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) collaborated with the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) to include a contribution from local government in the Access and equity annual report. An overview of better practice examples highlight how the requirements of the Charter of public service in a culturally diverse society are being met by local government. These examples highlight specific projects or programs that reflect the following key areas:
- consultation with culturally and linguistically diverse communities in the development of new policies and programs
- communication of new policies, programs and regulations taking into account the specific needs of diverse communities
- consideration of the impact of new policies and programs on diverse communities and the incorporation of this into service planning and delivery.
The examples included in the 2004 and subsequent annual reports represent a sample of the innovative policies and programs being undertaken by local councils to provide services to their culturally and linguistically diverse communities. They provide benchmarks for assessing existing programs and guides in developing new ones at local government level.
