Local government funding inquiry to hear from national independent advisory bodies
House of Representatives
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport’s inquiry into local government funding will hear from the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner (AEIC) and the Commonwealth Grants Commission (CGC) this week.
Mindful of the challenges faced by local governments, the Committee wants to better understand how the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner Tony Mahar manages his national role in relation to energy infrastructure whilst working collaboratively with all levels of government, industry, landholders, and community members.
The Committee will also hear from the Commonwealth Grants Commission to discuss its current roles and responsibilities, and how these have changed over time. The Committee will be interested in hearing about the CGC’s views on horizontal fiscal equalisation between states and territories and the flow on effects for local governments.
Committee Chair, Mrs Fiona Phillips, said “the Committee will be particularly interested in hearing about the role of the AEIC to help make the shift to renewal energy smoother and fairer. This transition can involve significant disruption and uncertainty for host communities and their local councils and needs to be managed fairly across regional Australia.”
“In regard to the CGC, the Committee has also heard from councils and other stakeholders about the importance of ensuring the distribution of funding to local government is fair and equitable. We look forward to hearing from the CGC on their role.”
Further information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference and how to contribute, is available on the Committee’s website.
Public hearing
Date: Thursday, 28 May 2026
Time: 11.00 am – 12.30 pm
Location: Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra
A program for the public hearing is available on the inquiry website. A live broadcast of the hearing will also be available on the APH website.
Media inquiries
Mrs Fiona Phillips, MP
Media Adviser: Katrina Condie 0437 662 967
For background information
Committee Secretariat
02 6277 2232
[email protected]
For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and find details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track this Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.
