In May 2012 the former Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government released the Australian Government response to Dr Allan Hawke's independent review of the National Capital Authority. The response was prepared in consultation with the National Capital Authority and the ACT Government as well as taking into consideration submissions from the public.
The Report, Canberra a Capital Place: Report of the Independent Review of the National Capital Authority, provides advice to the Australian Government on how to find the right balance for planning responsibilities between the Commonwealth and the ACT Government. The Report was released publicly in October 2011.
The Government's response to the Report seeks to fulfil the intention of the review's recommendations in a manner that meaningfully addresses issues of balance between the Australian and the ACT Government's roles in the National Capital, recognises the range of complementary work underway in this area and upholds the Commonwealth's lasting and substantial interest in the national capital.
The Australian Government and the ACT Government have agreed to work collaboratively to:
- improve the structure and expression of matters of national significance as the overarching principles that guide the Commonwealth's role in planning for Canberra
- simplify the Commonwealth's national capital planning system and better recognise the role of ACT Government
- reduce overlap and duplication by better alignment, where possible, of land management and detailed planning responsibilities
- clarify the National Capital Authority's role in the promotion of the national capital, and
- take account of both local and national interest through the appointment of an ACT Government nominee from the Canberra community to the board of the National Capital Authority.