COFFS Harbour City Mayor Denise Knight has issued a call for Local Government representation on National Cabinet, an intergovernmental decision-making forum initially established in March to deliver a National response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Advertise with News of The Area today.
It’s worth it for your business.
Message us.
Phone us – (02) 4981 8882.
Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au

Cr Knight issued the call via a Mayoral Minute at the latest Coffs Harbour City Council meeting on Thursday, 13 August.

In May, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) would be replaced by the National Cabinet.

The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) was a member of COAG.

“Local Government was not given a seat at the National Cabinet table,” Cr Knight said.

“Decisions about how our Federation works and how it can be improved or reformed require all three levels of Government working together to align their policies and programs.

“Australians expect the decisions of Government affecting them to reflect their grass roots views and to be implemented at the Local level as well as the State and National level.”

Cr Knight said National Cabinet and the Commonwealth Government were looking towards pro-growth policies to lift investment and get Australians back to work.

“Local Governments are willing and necessary partners in developing and implementing reform,” Cr Knight stressed.
“Reform involving the streamlining of legislation and regulation requires all the levels of Government.”

According to Cr Knight, the challenge facing National Cabinet over the coming months will be unlike any which has faced Australian Governments in recent times.

“It will require the concerted, coordinated and complementary efforts of all three levels of Government to rebuild consumer confidence, support business and recreate millions of jobs,” Cr Knight said.

“Including Local Government in National Cabinet would demonstrate a strong unity of purpose and a combined commitment to promote and implement National Cabinet decisions across the broadest implementation platform available to Government.”

Council has agreed to write to NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan and State Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh to highlight the critical necessity for Local Government representation on the newly formed National Cabinet, and seek their assistance in requesting that First Ministers (the Prime Minister, State/Territory Premiers and Chief Ministers) review the decision to exclude Local Government.

Council will also seek a meeting with local Federal and State members to discuss the importance of having Local Government representation on National Cabinet, and the value of partnerships with Councils in achieving the objectives of the National Cabinet and the National reform agenda.

Council also noted that the Australian Local Government Association, Local Government NSW and other State and Territory Local Government associations will continue to advocate for Local Government representation on the National Cabinet, and for Local Government’s interests in all relevant forums.

By Emma DARBIN