The Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, has announced his new Ministry. The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, and Local Government is Anthony Albanese. This is a Cabinet position and Anthony Albanese is also the Leader of the House of Representatives.
Gary Gray, elected to Kim Beazley’s former seat of Brand in Western Australia at this election and former National Secretary of the ALP, has been appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development.
The President of the Australian Local Government Association, Councillor Paul Bell, said he was pleased that the Local Government portfolio is a Cabinet position and he looks forward to working with the new Minister.
“Local Government will continue to put forward our priorities such as the need to upgrade deteriorating community infrastructure, fair funding and formal recognition, and I will be taking the earliest opportunity to meet with the Minister to discuss our agenda,” he said. “I also note Mr Albanese’s interest in the very important issues of climate change and protecting our water resources and we will be working on developing a strong partnership with the Federal Government on assisting Councils to develop mitigation and adaption measures.”
Councillor Bell said he has written to the new Minister seeking a meeting to discuss Labor’s election commitments and Local Government’s decision to hold a Constitutional Forum late in 2008.
At the time of going to press the Leader of the Federal Opposition, Brendan Nelson, had not finalised his Shadow Cabinet positions.
