Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

ESE (—) (): I thank the member for Fowler for her question. To be frank, I'm not aware of some of the details that she raises with regard to local government funding and changes that were made by, as I think the member suggested, the former New South Wales government. But the member for Fowler is absolutely correct to say that I'm a supporter of local government, and that's why in the coming month there will be a re-meeting of the Australian Council of Local Government where every single mayor and shire president will be meeting with the federal government, including all of my ministers, to make sure that you get that direct engagement involved.

I'm a firm believer, as well, in needs-based funding for local government, and the Commonwealth Grants Commission makes assessments based upon equity issues. I'm very conscious that an area such as Liverpool City Council is a disadvantaged area and therefore should receive more support than some other areas that are in a stronger position to raise revenues themselves in their local communities, owing to the factors that Commonwealth Grants Commission—at arm's length—determines for the funding arrangements.

In my view—and this is something I've put for a long time—funding for local community infrastructure is best delivered through local government. Local councils know what the priorities of their local communities are, and they also have accountability mechanisms, including auditing and proper processes, to make sure that you don't have funding from government which advantages one private sector operator over another. You've seen that that can create real problems with integrity issues. We saw that with colour-coded spreadsheets under the former government. I believe that those fundings being through local government is very important. This side of the House will always speak up for stronger relations with local government. I met with the local government minister just this morning talking about her local community around Narooma but also talking in general about the Australian Council of Local Government and how it will function. I look forward to participating in that process as Prime Minister.

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