Day One Agenda
Tuesday 16th August, 2011

8.45
Registration, coffee & networking
9.15
Welcome remarks from the Chair
Where we stand today & what's required for the future
9.30
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Current state of play – COAG & Ministerial Councils

  • An exploration of the current context - co-operative federalism and the COAG reform agenda
  • Reflections on the recent review of Ministerial Councils and their appropriate structure and nature
Dr Allan Hawke, Former Secretary
Department of Defence, Veterans Affairs, Transport and
Regional Services
10:15
The scope of the review into the distribution of GST revenue among the states & territories

  • Current state of play in intergovernmental relations in Australia
  • Motivations for the review into the distribution of GST revenue among the states
  • What the review will cover, how it will be conducted and associated timelines
  • What is required for effective and productive intergovernmental relations going forward
The Hon John Brumby
Former Victorian Premier
11:00
Morning tea & networking
11:15
Where we stand today & priorities for the future
Developments since December 2007

  • COAG's strategic themes and their shaping of its agenda going forward
  • The strengthened emphasis on successful implementation and accountability for performance
  • Current priorities and future areas of focus
Ron Perry, Assistant Secretary - COAG Unit,
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
12:00
The COAG reform agenda – How are governments tracking?

  • The framework for performance reporting and accountability
  • Reporting on the COAG reform agenda
  • Stakeholder engagement in the reform process
Paul Elton, Deputy Head of Secretariat
COAG Reform Council
12.45
Networking lunch
1:35
EXPERT COMMENTARY
What the current political landscape means for intergovernmental relations

  • Australia's current political landscape and the changes since Kevin Rudd initiated reforms
  • What a new Prime Minister and an increasing number of Liberal Premiers mean for COAG, the national reform agenda and intergovernmental relations
  • Spotlight on health reform, the current state of play and what to expect for the future
Dr Peter van Onselen, Winthrop Professor
The University of Western Australia &
Contributing Editor
The Australian
2:20
SPOTLIGHT
Intergovernmental relations & health reform – A view from the intergovernmental frontline

  • Reflections on intergovernmental relations in the health reform sphere over the past 18 months
  • What can be learnt from the health reform journey
Janet Anderson, Director Inter-Government and
Funding Strategies
Department of Health, NSW
3.05
Afternoon tea & networking
3:20
Current federal financial relations & the next steps

  • Federal financial relations today – Over two years on from the IGA
  • Findings of the Heads of Treasuries Review and resulting refinements
  • What is on the agenda for Treasury?
Senior Representative, Treasury
4:05
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Insights into federal financial relations from the Commonwealth Grants Commission

  • The role of the Commonwealth Grants Commission
  • How horizontal fiscal equalisation works
  • Recent developments in the distribution of GST revenue
Alan Henderson, Chairman
Commonwealth Grants Commission
4:25
Local-Federal & Local-State relations – Constitutional reform & a vision for the future

  • Local Government's crucial role in service delivery
  • Current state of play in Local-Federal and Local-State relations
  • Local Government's priority for 2011
Genia McCaffery, President
Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) &
Mayor of North Sydney (Subject to availability)
5:35
Closing remarks from the Chair & close of day one

View agenda day two