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About Seacc
The ACC Charter
Charter
Area Consultative Committees (ACCs) form a key regional network for the Commonwealth Government.
Working in partnership with government, business and the community, ACCs identify and foster opportunities for jobs growth, skills development and regional growth and service delivery to find community-based solutions to these issues.
ACCs are a vital link between the Government's role in the establishment of the framework which enables jobs growth and regional development, and the achievement of tangible and practical outcomes for local communities.
The strategies developed by ACCs
provide direction and identify priorities
for Government funding through the Regional
Partnerships (RP).
The role of ACCs
ACCs work as an important conduit between the Government and the community:
- in identifying priorities for their local regions and facilitating the best use of the services available to a community to suit the particular circumstances of the region; and
- in feeding back information to the Government to enable effective review and informed refinement of policies and programmes.
ACCs:
- are the key regional network for the Commonwealth Government portfolios of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business; Education, Training and Youth Affairs; and Transport and Regional Services;
- are an important source and sharer of information through which they influence, support, promote and disseminate information on Government policy directions for the benefit of their communities;
- perform a leadership and mentor role in their regions in supporting small business and in improving coordination between Government and local community activities with the potential to stimulate jobs growth, skills development and regional growth more generally;
- play a key facilitating role in a series of government programmes including providing and disseminating information on the Job Network and other key employment, training and regional initiatives in their local areas.
Their regional leadership role ensures ACCs are well placed to improve the coordination of federal, state and local activities with the potential to stimulate employment and regional growth.
The specific priorities and actual operations of ACCs may vary widely, reflecting the differing nature and needs of regions. The priority given by an ACC to its activities in each of these areas will be consistent with this Charter and the core functions of ACCs.
ACCs report to the Government on a regular basis on their activities and outcomes.
Commitment
The Government is determined to meet its responsibilities to the fullest extent by working, in partnership with business and the community at large, to help communities meet the challenges they face.
The Government recognises that ACCs can form a critical part of this partnership.
The Government is committed to a whole of Government approach to the use of ACCs and is facilitating this approach through a Memorandum of Understanding between the Departments of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business; Education, Training and Youth Affairs; and Transport and Regional Services.
To enable ACCs to carry out their role effectively, the Government will provide for:
- recognition of ACCs as a key regional network;
- three year strategic planning and annual business planning cycles;
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funding for ACC operations and Regional
Partnerships (RP) project activity, based on each ACC's demonstrated achievement of agreed outcomes;
- an annual National Forum of ACC Chairs to assist communication between ACCs and the Government; and
- a range of administrative support systems for ACCs
including internet communication
facilities, a comprehensive database of
Regional Partnership (RP) projects, guidance on operational and project activity and the provision of advice, assistance, information and promotional material.
The core functions of ACCs will include:
1. Regional consultation and identification of appropriate project activity ACCs will:
- bring together key business, regional and community representatives to identify priorities and opportunities for employment and regional growth.
This will include consultation with young job seekers and indigenous people so their needs and aspirations are taken into account in the development and implementation of the ACCs' strategic regional plan;
- develop and implement a three year strategic regional plan to address regional priorities for growth.
The ACC will promote this plan to ensure widespread acceptance and support of its aims, objectives and outcomes within the region;
- identify and facilitate projects for funding under the Regional
Partnerships (RP) and other government programmes which will support and underpin the strategic regional plan.
This includes identifying proponents to develop, cost and manage RP projects.
2. Promotion of Government-wide initiatives
ACCs will:
- provide support for the effective operation of Job Network in the region, by
- bringing together Job Network members on identified issues; and
- promoting Job Network to employers (particularly small to medium sized businesses).
- promote and facilitate other Commonwealth initiatives such as:
- Work for the Dole;
- New Apprenticeships;
- workplace relations reforms;
- small business initiatives;
- linkages between young people and their communities;
- links between school, work and business;
- Indigenous employment, education and training; and
- other regional programs such as Rural Plan, Rural Communities and Rural Transaction Centres.
- develop effective linkages with relevant Commonwealth, State and local agencies to assist promotion and implementation of these initiatives throughout the region.
3. Provision of advice and feedback to Government ACCs will:
- provide advice and feedback to Ministers and Departments on employment and training needs in the region; and the impact of Commonwealth policies and programmes on the regional labour market, particularly those related to regional services, the Job Network, vocational education and training, small business development and workplace relations reform.
- advise the Minister for Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business on the regional impact of the Job Network and the extent to which providers collectively are meeting the needs of local employers and job seekers;
- provide advice and feedback on regional development and regional services issues and the delivery and access of relevant government programs.
The priority given by an ACC to its activities in each of these areas will reflect Ministerial direction on priorities. Activities will be reviewed annually in consultation with Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. Ministerial direction on priorities will be developed through consultation with all relevant Ministers and communicated to ACCs at the annual National Forum of ACC Chairs.
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