Jill Hall (Shortland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I am very aware of the fact that we have very little time to speak in this debate and I will keep my contribution extremely short. The reason that I seek to speak on this particular piece of legislation is, firstly, to express my support for it and also to share with the parliament a letter I have just received from my local council, which I will seek leave to table after I have completed my contribution to this debate.

My local council, Lake Macquarie City Council, has contacted me by mail—I received a letter from the mayor—requesting that I support this legislation. The mayor pointed out to me that it is critical for the city of Lake Macquarie and communities around Australia. She goes through and highlights the reasons this is so important. She highlights that the council made a number of submissions to the joint select committee and the Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Local Government and that they passed resolutions through council confirming their support for financial recognition by the change to section 96 of the Constitution. She concludes by asking me to vote in favour of the bill, saying that it is a crucial step and vital for local government.

I strongly support the legislation for all the reasons that have been highlighted by the Mayor of Lake Macquarie and for many other reasons. It is about ensuring the viability of local government and better services for the people that I represent in this parliament. I seek leave to table the letter from the mayor of Lake Macquarie.

Leave granted.

I thank the House.

See this speech in context