Speech to the Australian Local Government Association National General Assembly

Introduction

Thank you, Daniela, for your introduction.

And Councillor Linda Scott for inviting me to address the National General Assembly.

It is wonderful to be here and to see so many mayors, councillors, friends and colleagues in the audience.

This year, I am particularly happy to be here in person – not zooming in from my home in Ballarat with COVID as I was 12 months ago.

Acknowledgement of country and voice

As always, I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners on the lands we meet - the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples.

I acknowledge their Elders, customs and traditions and, indeed of all the traditional owners of the many, and varied, lands across our vast country.

I extend this respect to all First Nations people who join us.

With representatives from local communities the length and breadth of Australia here today, it is particularly important that we acknowledge the First Nation’s communities, who for time immemorial, have defined and cared for our ancient country and the places we call home.

Theirs is the world’s longest living culture.

As a federated nation, we have existed for the blink of an eye in their long and storied history.

2023 is the Year of constitutional recognition, a chance to help right a historic wrong. A chance to ensure that our constitution – our nation’s birth certificate – acknowledges those who have been here the longest.

It is a chance to vote yes to give a voice to those who have been ignored for too long.

And let me note the support that ALGA has given to the referendum process.

This is our opportunity to move forward together, listening to each other in the spirit of unity and respect. 

Let this be the legacy of this year.

Our communities, our future

There are many good things about ALGA’s national general assembly, but what I always consider the most important is how it brings together hundreds of representatives from every corner of our nation to share ideas and to work together for the benefit of their local communities.

From the Top End to Tasmania, from the Pilbara to Capricornia - and everywhere in between - local communities matter.

And the councils that represent them are fundamental to their vibrant future. 

It is local governments that maintain our local roads, deliver essential services, oversee public infrastructure, parks and recreation facilities, and protect our local environments.

When emergencies strike, it is local government workers who are on the frontline, and there throughout the recovery phase.

I addressed this assembly a year ago, shortly after our Government was elected on a platform toBuild a Better Future For All, with no one left behind.

At that time, I made a commitment to work with you to create stronger, more sustainable and liveable communities.

And to bring local government back into the national conversation.

I am proud to report, that that is exactly what we have done.

We brought local government back into Cabinet.

We have a Minister in Minister McBain – a former mayor herself – who is dedicated to the cause of local government.

And, of course, we are re-establishing the Australian Council of Local Government which meets here, in Canberra, on Friday.

This important forum – which is returning for the first time in more than a decade –will provide an opportunity for me and my ministerial colleagues to engage on a wide range of issues important to you and the communities we all represent.

But I don’t think there is anyone looking forward to it more than Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

That is because the Prime Minister, along with our entire Government, knows that good government changes lives.

And good government begins by engaging directly with local communities and understanding the priorities and challenges that affect them.

It is important that we stand side-by-side.

That is why, at the February National Cabinet, we invited Linda to share ALGA’s priorities with us.

It is why ALGA participates in the Council on Federal Financial Relations between the Commonwealth, states and territories and it is why ALGA comes to our meeting of State and Commonwealth infrastructure and transport ministers – the latest of which was in Perth last Friday.

It is because we want to hear directly from you – the level of government closest to local communities.

I know that the Prime Minister - and indeed all state and territory leaders – highly value this contribution and collaboration.

Looking ahead, National Cabinet has prioritised a more coordinated approach to developing the potential of our cities, our suburbs and our regions.

Because when we work well - across all levels of government - we will build a better future.

Shared solutions

We know though, that a better future can only come when we work to overcome our shared challenges.

Widespread skills shortages pose one of the greatest economic challenges our country has faced in decades.

Cost-of-living pressures are hurting households and businesses.

The housing crisis is real and touching communities from the regions to the cities.

And, of course, the impacts of climate change continue to be felt as we face more frequent and severe weather-events and their aftermath.

A tough financial climate

Just as Australians are doing it tough, we know that in the current fiscal climate, their local governments are too facing cashflow pressures.

We are working with you to overcome these challenges.

This is why we intend to pay 75 per cent of the 2023-24 Financial Assistance Grant allocation earlier than usual.

Unlocking $2.3 billion of the $3.1 billion allocation will ensure local councils can deliver on their priorities for their local communities.

In recognition of ongoing supply-chain pressures, we have extended Local Roads and Community Infrastructure round 3 project construction timelines by a year and providing an additional $250million, with a particular focus on damaged roads in peri-urban and regional Australia.

This brings the total value of round 4 of the program to $750million for local governments to invest in community infrastructure.

And, of course, wherever we look, we see worker shortfalls and skills gaps.

Local councils - which employ more than 190 000 workers - are no exception.

The latest Local Government Workforce Skills and Capability Survey, shows most councils in Australia are facing jobs and skills shortages, and close to 70% of local governments say they are facing unmet training needs.

Shortages of engineers, town planners, building surveyors, environmental and health inspectors and admin staff are impacting project delivery and productivity.

The Australian Government recognises the urgency of the skills crisis at hand.

Securing the workforce of tomorrow, starts with removing access barriers to education and training.

That is why we have made available $4 billion to renegotiate the National Skills Agreement with States and Territories to reform vocational education and training.

It is why we have created Jobs and Skills Australia to better direct skills and training.

And why, already this year, we have supported more than 150,000 people through the joint fee-free TAFE initiative.

The road to recovery

Now, as a local MP, I know what top issue is filling up the inbox of almost every councillor across the country – the state of our roads.

Robust, reliable roads keep our nation moving. And local roads make up the majority of what we drive every day.

We know there is a continued backlog of local road repairs, which is why we have committed $500 million for local roads through Roads to Recovery and more than $100 million every year to the Black Spot Program.

We are assisting local governments to undertake engineering assessments of bridges and culverts and providing $85 million annually for related upgrades through the Bridges Renewal Program.

And, as I said before, we are providing an additional $250million, with a particular focus on damaged roads in peri-urban and regional Australia, through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program.

Roads and road safety are a shared responsibility, and we welcome ALGA’s participation in the meetings of the Infrastructure and Transport ministers.

The new National Road Safety Action Plan sets measurable actions, responsibilities and timeframes for all levels of government as we move towards our shared goal of zero road deaths and serious injuries by 2050.

In last month’s Budget, we committed more than $43 million to the National Road Safety Action Grants Program – an important initiative on the road to Vision Zero.

And, of course, our Disaster Ready Fund will be providing up to one billion dollars over the next five years for natural disaster resilience and risk reduction across Australia.

Beyond these investments, I am hopeful that our review of the Infrastructure Investment Pipeline will also provide us an opportunity to provide further support to you for local road funding in a way that lessens the administrative burden on you all so you can concentrate on road repair and maintenance.

A cleaner, brighter future

Another shared 2050 target we have is net zero.

Let me praise local governments for leading the charge towards a clean energy future.

More than three quarters of Australian councils have set, or are developing community emissions reduction targets, with a commitment that anything other than a net zero target is not acceptable.

Investing in local, clean-energy solutions creates jobs and increases our resilience to climate change.

Now is the time for us to take advantage of the energy transition and the unique position our cities and regions have to capitalise on it.

It will make our communities even better places to live – and I know the Prime Minister will have more to say about this when he addresses you on Friday.

Investing in our cities

At the heart of it, that is what we are doing – making our communities better places to live.

This Government wants every city and every suburb to be an excellent place to live – with equitable access to the jobs, housing, services and infrastructure every Australian deserves.

That’s why we have committed $200 million to establish the new Thriving Suburbs Program for locally-driven urban and suburban infrastructure and community projects, with consultation on the Guidelines to start next month and expressions of interest and applications to follow later this year.

And it’s why we are working with local government on key urban policy – including establishing the Urban Policy Forum with leaders from the local government including the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors and National Growth Areas Alliance.

And working with Planning Ministers and the Australian Local Government Association to tackle housing supply and affordability, climate change, communications and urban environments.

Investing in our regions

While we are investing in cities and suburbs, we know that our regions are home to one in three Australians – including myself and my family.

In the October Budget, we set out more than 760 initiatives to boost regional communities, industries and jobs.

Initiatives and investments like Powering the Regions, the Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program and the Growing Regions Program – which opens for EOIs from 5 July – to name a few.

Our Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia sets out more than $1 billion in measures to improve connectivity, coverage, and support communities through natural disasters.

We are addressing long-standing mobile coverage and reception issues on the fringes of our major cities and regional centres through the Peri-Urban Mobile Program.

We are expanding the next rounds of this program to include regional cities like Geelong, Wollongong, the NSW Central Coast and Newcastle.

The Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Townsville, Cairns, Darwin, Toowoomba, and, here in Canberra.

And, we are enhancing connectivity and digital prosperity for all Australians through a better National Broadband Network.

Regardless of whether you are logging in from the bush or the burbs, everyone deserves equal access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet.

And, importantly, in last month’s Budget, we built the foundations to deliver smart and responsible regional investment.

The new Regional Investment Framework will provide a consistent, coordinated investment approach across Government, responsive to the unique strengths and challenges of our diverse regions.

It places regions and their people at the centre of decision-making by:

• valuing local voices and local priorities;
• taking an evidence-based approach to investment;
• and coordinating across all levels of government to deliver these.

The framework will ensure real, and lasting benefits for regional communities right across Australia.

Conclusion

From Albany to the Hawkesbury - from Alice Springs to the Huon Valley and everywhere in between - local communities matter.

Our communities are our future. When we work together – with local government - this future will be stronger, more sustainable and prosperous.

We know that our government’s priorities for cleaner, cheaper energy, more affordable housing, childcare, healthcare and aged care. For skills and training, connectivity, smart infrastructure and a future made in Australia cannot be achieved without you.

I look forward to our continued collaboration to address the challenges we face and to capitalise on the opportunities we have to Build a Better Future For All.

Thank you.