What sum was allocated in local government financial assistance grants during (a) 2003-2004, and (b) 2004-2005, to the (i) City of Whittlesea, (ii) City of Banyule, (iii) Shire of Nillumbik, and (iv) City of Darebin.

Each year the Federal Government provides financial assistance grants to Local Government paid through the States under the Local Government (Financial Assistance) Act 1995. The financial assistance grants have two components - general purpose grants and identified local roads grants - and both components are untied in the hands of the receiving council. This means that councils are able to spend the grant (including the local road grant) according to the priorities of their communities.

The Act specifies how the quantum of the grant is determined and how it is distributed between States. Within States, the grant is distributed to councils according to the recommendation of the respective Local Government Grants Commission established by each State as a condition of receiving funding under the Act. Further details are provided in the Report on the Operation of the Local Government (Financial Assistance) Act 1995 (commonly known as the National Report) tabled in Parliament as soon as practicable after 30 June each year.

In the following table, financial assistance grants for 2004-05 are estimates.