An Albanese Labor Government would welcome local government back to Parliament by re-establishing the Australian Council of Local Government.
In 2008, Labor Leader Anthony Albanese established the Australian Council of Local Government as then Local Government Minister to “provide a new nation building partnership between the Commonwealth and local government.”
It was an annual meeting with the Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, Mayors, Shire Presidents and local government stakeholders engaging directly on matters of significance to local and federal governments.
The Liberals abolished the Council, ripping away an important function of the relationship between the two levels of government.
The Prime Minister kicked local government to the kerb when he replaced COAG with the National Cabinet.
As the closest level of government to our communities, local government served as an important part of the COAG process. The Liberals ignored the voices of our communities when they push local government to the kiddies table.
In addition to re-establishing the Australian Council of Local Government, Labor is also committed to putting local government on National Cabinet.
Throughout bushfires, floods and the COVID pandemic, council workers have been vital to providing services to help get us through.
The Liberals will never make local government a priority.
Only the Australian Labor Party will.