President’s Update – 13 March 2023

Working for councils: Pre-Budget advocacy campaign

The 2023-24 Federal Budget is fast approaching. I spent time in our Federal Parliament this week, meeting with the Government and Opposition to highlight our Budget funding requests to deliver for our communities.

We recently partnered with the Institute of Public Works Engineers Australasia (IPWEA) to call for permanent funding of $500 million per year for the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program. This program has been incredibly successful so far and it’s helping us build more liveable and productive communities.

Have you told your local MP what you have spent your LRCI grant on? If not, please invite them to see the work today.

Our number one priority remains restoring Financial Assistance Grants to at least one percent of Commonwealth taxation revenue.  The Government has committed to “fair increases” to Financial Assistance Grants, and we intend to hold them to this commitment.

Prime Minister’s Request: Book 13 to 16 June for ALGA Conference and ACLG

We’re excited to be able to host our annual ALGA Conference in Canberra from 13 to 15 June, and partner with the Government on the return of the Australian Council of Local Government (ACLG), immediately following our Conference.

This will be a valuable opportunity for mayors, shire presidents and councillors to share your community’s ideas and aspirations directly with the Prime Minister and engage with Federal Ministers. I look forward to providing more information about how you can be involved in the coming weeks.

NGA draft program now available

A draft program for the 2023 NGA is now online, and more information about guest speakers and presenters will be added as they are confirmed.

We’re expecting a record crowd at this year’s event and Canberra accommodation is booking fast, so get your early bird registrations in soon.