Local Government representation in National Cabinet will boost recovery efforts

The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has
welcomed Federal Opposition Labor leader Anthony Albanese’s commitment to include
Local Government in National Cabinet should the ALP win the next federal
election.

ALGA had been a member of the Council of Australian
Governments (COAG) until it was abolished and replaced by National Cabinet last
May.

ALGA President Cr Linda Scott said the decision to exclude Local
Government from National Cabinet had deprived decision-makers of the collective
energy, wisdom, and on-the-ground knowledge of 537 local councils across the
country.

“Councils have
continued to deliver critical community services and carry out their day-to-day
functions right through the pandemic,” Cr Scott said.

“As the
economy has emerged from enforced hibernation, councils have been prominent in
implementing measures at the local level – in partnership with the states and
Commonwealth – to support and facilitate economic and business activity.

“If we want
Australia to emerge from the pandemic more resilient and dynamic than before,
Local Government must have a seat on National Cabinet and be involved in
discussions about the broader objectives of recovery and how we’re to achieve
them.

“We need to ensure
that the policies and programs of all levels of Government are aligned and
working towards a single goal.”

Mr Albanese gave
the undertaking to include Local Government in National Cabinet during a speech
in Sydney this morning to the Australian Financial Review Business Summit.

In light of the Opposition’s commitment, Cr Scott has called on the Prime Minister to support Local Government’s inclusion in National Cabinet and to raise the issue with his First Minister colleagues.

“People expect the
three tiers of government to work together on their behalf, especially during
emergencies like Covid-19.

“By continuing to
exclude Local Government from the National Cabinet, we potentially risk leaving
some local communities and regions behind as well as prolonging Australia’s
journey to full economic recovery,” she said.

Cr Scott thanked local
mayors and councils – including Hilltops, Narromine, Coffs Harbour, Georges
River, Temora, and Gladstone – who have continued to push for ALGA to be added
to the National Cabinet.

“The many letters that
councils have sent to MPs and Ministers, both state and federal, underline the strength
of community feeling about local government’s voice on national decisions being
diminished,” she said.

ENDS