President’s column

Councils have just one week left to access new funding from the Government to help deliver local National Reconciliation Week 2017 celebrations commemorating the upcoming 50th anniversary of the 1967 Referendum and the 25th anniversary of the 1992 Mabo High Court decision.

The funding round closes on Friday 21 April 2017.

Councils will have the opportunity to use the funding to partner with a local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community organisation to mark these two historic events through activities that honour and respect their significance to all Australians.

It is a great compliment to the sector that the Turnbull Government has chosen local councils as partners in celebrating this national milestone. I would hate to see any council miss out so I urge all councils to submit applications for this funding via the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website.

National Reconciliation Week is also an opportunity for the sector to focus on what we as councils are doing in a practical way to address reconciliation. I recently met with the Chief Executive Officer of Reconciliation Australia and was surprised to learn that about 50 councils out of more than 530 across Australia have a Reconciliation Action Plan. I believe we can do better and ALGA is looking at ways we can work with Reconciliation Australia to support councils in this area.            

Finally, with Easter ahead of us and many people planning to get behind the wheel at some stage over the long weekend, I would also like to remind everyone to travel safely and make wise decisions on the road – not just for the safety of our loved ones but also our communities.

On behalf of all the staff at ALGA, I wish you all a happy and safe Easter break.

 

Mayor David O’Loughlin

 ALGA President