The peak body representing Queensland councils has issued its congratulations to Anthony Albanese on his election as Prime Minister.
Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) CEO Alison Smith said the LGAQ looks forward to working with Mr Albanese and the new government to progress the needs of Queensland councils and their local communities.
“On behalf of the LGAQ, I would like to congratulate Mr Albanese and his team on their election win,” Ms Smith said.
“Mr Albanese spoke yesterday of the need for all three levels of government to work together, and we look forward to working with the new Federal Government as they begin to roll out their election commitments, including additional funding for the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, disaster management and policies to help ease the housing crisis.
“The LGAQ also looks forward to working with Mr Albanese and his team to progress Labor’s commitment to a fair increase in Financial Assistance (FA) Grants funding.
“The LGAQ and the Australian Local Government Association have been campaigning for FA Grant funding to be restored to at least one per cent of Federal taxation revenue, as it was in the 1990s.
“As a former Minister for Local Government, we know Mr Albanese understands just how crucial this funding is to ensuring every local community is a liveable one, so we look forward to working with him and his new Cabinet to progress a meaningful FA grant increase.
“We look forward to councils, as the level of government that is closest to the community, being given a seat at the National Cabinet table – as committed to by Labor – as the sector did on its predecessor, COAG (Council of Australian Governments).
Ms Smith said the LGAQ is eager to discuss further measures to address the housing crisis including the need for a National Housing Summit.
“This initiative doesn’t just have the support of Queensland councils, but also of 12 other key peak bodies, because it touches every community and every industry,” she said.
On behalf of the LGAQ, Ms Smith thanked the former Morrison Government for the good working relationship it has established with Queensland councils and its commitment to local communities, as shown through the introduction of programs like the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.
