ALGA National General Assembly 2022
Published on 30 June 2022
The 28th annual National General Assembly was held in Canberra last week and the Leeton Shire Council was successful in having both of its motions passed.
Convened by the Australian Local Government Association, the National General Assembly of Local Government is the peak annual event for Local Government, attracting in excess of 800 Mayors and Councillors each year.
This event provides a unique opportunity for Local Government to engage directly with the Federal Government, to develop national policy, and to influence the future direction of our councils and our communities.
The ALGA National General Assembly was a great opportunity for the voice of Leeton Shire to be heard and the successful passing of the Shire’s two motions is testament to that.
Leeton Shire Council, through its representatives in Mayor Tony Reneker, Deputy Mayor Michael Kidd and General Manager Jackie Kruger, called on the Federal Government to restore Financial Assistance Grants to at least 1% of Commonwealth taxation revenue and to ensure equity in how funds are distributed. They also called on the Federal Government to drive improvements in health access and outcomes in rural and regional areas of Australia.
A number of Federal Ministers were in attendance at the Assembly including the Honourable Catherine King, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Senator the Honourable Murray Watt, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Minister for Emergency Management; and the Honourable Linda Burney, Minister for Indigenous Australians.
The Honourable Linda Burney, who was raised in Whitton and later attended Leeton High School, is the first Indigenous woman to serve in the role of Minister for Indigenous Australians.
Her connection with Leeton got a special mention from the ALGA President and the Minister was delighted to connect with the Shire representatives after her speech which focused strongly on supporting the Uluru Statement of the Heart. (See above photo).
The Assembly provided an excellent forum to hear directly what outcomes the new Federal Ministers intend to pursue and how they intend to work with Local Government as the tier of government closest to the people.