Decision details

Moved by Councillor Scott, seconded by Councillor Vithoulkas -

It is resolved that:

(A)        Council note:

(i)          since the disbandment of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) and its replacement with the National Cabinet, Australian councils have been advocating for the Australian Local Government (ALGA) to be provided with a voting representative for Local Government on the National Cabinet;

(ii)         Local Government leaders across the country have called upon the Federal Government to instate representation for Local Government on the National Cabinet;

(iii)        Local Government has a unique understanding of the needs of and challenges facing communities at a local level; and

(iv)       Labor leader Anthony Albanese’s recent commitment to provide Local Government, via ALGA, with a seat at the National Cabinet; and

(B)        the Lord Mayor be requested to:

(i)          write to the Opposition Leader, Anthony Albanese, and Shadow Local Government Minister, Jason Clare, thanking them for committing to provide a seat for local government on the National Cabinet; and

(ii)         write to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Local Government Minister Mark Coulton, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and NSW Local Government Minister Shelley Hancock, advocating for local government to be represented as a voting member of the National Cabinet, through the peak body ALGA. 

The motion was carried on the following show of hands –

Ayes (8)          The Chair (the Lord Mayor), Councillors Chung, Kok, Scott, Scully, Thalis, and Vithoulkas

Noes (2)          Councillors Forster and Miller.

Motion carried.

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