I would like to extend a warm welcome, on behalf of the sector, to our new Federal minister, Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie, who was sworn in on Tuesday as the Minister for Regional Services, Sport, Local Government and Decentralisation in Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s new ministry.
As the President of ALGA, I am determined to build on the already strong relationship that exists between the Commonwealth and local government. I’ve taken the opportunity to seek a meeting with Minister McKenzie as soon as convenient to discuss the Government’s policies concerning our sector and the current priorities facing our communities. I also invited the Minister to join the ALGA Board at its meeting next month as an early opportunity to meet the sector’s leaders.
I look forward to continuing to work with the Government and Minister McKenzie to improve the resilience of our local communities and help support regional development.
With the swearing in of Minister McKenzie, we say goodbye to our outgoing minister the Hon Dr John McVeigh MP. I’m thankful for Dr McVeigh’s support during his time as Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government. I greatly appreciated his willingness to engage with myself and the local government sector including his attendance at this year’s Regional Cooperation and Development Forum and National General Assembly.
I wish Dr McVeigh well in his Parliamentary career and I’m sure I speak for us all when I say how grateful we are for his dedicated service and support.
Mayor David O’Loughlin
ALGA President