Intergovernmental relations

ALGA has unique access and insight into government decision-making in Australia.

We represent local government at Ministerial Councils and forums on a range of key issues including transport, emergency management, energy, climate, environment, planning, culture and Closing the Gap.

At these meetings, ALGA’s leaders provide a powerful and strong voice for councils and communities, and ensure local perspectives are considered in national policy development.

However, ALGA does not have a permanent voice on National Cabinet – the main forum linking all governments across the nation.

For almost 30 years, ALGA was a valued member and contributor to the Council of Australian Governments (COAG). However, ALGA’s membership did not carry over when COAG transitioned to National Cabinet in 2020, and ALGA now only attends one meeting each year as an observer. ALGA is also invited to attend one meeting per year of the Council on Federal Financial Relations.

ALGA is calling on the Federal Government to return ALGA as a full member of National Cabinet with ongoing membership and voting rights.  This will enable local government leaders to provide local perspectives on national decision making, and ensure the views of Australian communities are understood and considered.

We are also seeking full membership of the Local Government Ministers’ Forum, which ALGA currently attends in an ex-officio capacity.

How we represent local government

ALGA represents and advocates for local government by participating in the following Ministerial Councils and Forums:

• National Cabinet (once per year)
• Council on Federal Financial Relations (once per year)
• Local Government Ministers’ Forum
• Infrastructure and Transport Ministers’ Meeting
• National Emergency Management Ministers’ Meeting
• Joint Council on Closing the Gap
• Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council
• Environment Ministers’ Meeting
• Building Ministers’ Meeting
• Water Ministers’ Meeting
• Planning Ministers’ Meeting
• Cultural Ministers’ Meeting
• Food Ministers’ Meeting
• Ministerial Migration Roundtable