The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has commended the Prime Minister, Premiers and Chief Ministers on their cooperative and collegiate discussions at the COAG Leaders' Retreat and will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them in finding solutions to the challenges facing all levels of government and improving outcomes for Australians now and into the future.
Mayor Troy Pickard, President of ALGA, said: "It was evident during the retreat that all leaders were committed to substantial reform and to delivering better quality services across Australia and local government is ready to continue to play a constructive role in solving the important issues facing the country.
"The significant fiscal challenges for the Commonwealth, States and Territories discussed at the retreat also have implications for local government's role in terms of maintaining the delivery of quality community services and infrastructure at the local level and I was pleased to see our important role in the Federation explicitly acknowledged.
"There was a strong sense of commitment from the Prime Minister, Premiers and Chief Ministers at the retreat in advancing the cause of reform in our Federation and I urge the opposition parties at the Federal, State and Territory levels to mirror this commitment to ensure a constructive conversation with the Australian community to address the challenges facing our Federation.
"The Australian Leaders' Retreat was a vital step towards progress on reforming the Federation as we move towards the development of the Green Paper on the Reform of the Federation. I will work to encourage full participation by local government in providing its perspective on how the delivery of services and infrastructure at the local level can be improved and the role councils can play to achieve that outcome."
Media enquiries:
Sharon Akinyi, Director Public Affairs, Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) 0418 415 649, sharon.akinyi@alga.asn.au