Drought, climate change, and electric vehicles among major topics at Australia’s largest local government gathering
• Other motions for debate include water security, homelessness and health services
• Nissan Leaf electric vehicles for delegates to test drive
• Deputy Prime Minister and Local Government Minister to speak
Urgent action on climate change, recycling, drought, and preparing for more electric vehicles are among the topics to be debated at Australia’s largest meeting of local government leaders in Canberra from 17-19 June.
These are among the motions sent by councils from across Australia for voting at the 25th National General Assembly which is organised and hosted by the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), the peak body of local government.
“Local government is the closest level of government that touches local communities, and the sheer range of motions to be debated is testament to the many roles local councils play,” says ALGA President, Mayor David O’Loughlin.
“Other matters delegates will discuss include action on homelessness, health services, and gambling.
“Australia’s local councils are responsible for so much, but unfortunately their level of funding is not commensurate with these responsibilities.
“We expect these issues to be highlighted when we hear from Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack MP and Local Government Minister Mark Coulton MP, who will both address the assembly.”
The federal government’s Coordinator-General for Drought, Major General Stephen Day will hold a workshop during the Assembly on 18 June to talk to Local Governments from across the country and share his experiences on the drought.
With 2019 the International Year for Indigenous Languages, delegates will on 17 June hear from three directors of First Languages Australia who will share the possibilities from unlocking the treasure of Australia’s first languages.
/Public Release.
