Scott Buchholz (Wright, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It was a pleasure to attend the LGAQ annual breakfast yesterday morning, which forms part of the Australian Local Government Association's National General Assembly. Organised by Alison Smith, the CEO of the Local Government Association of Queensland, the LGAQ, and her good team, it was a great opportunity for members of this place and senators to engage with local government representatives.

There are 77 local government areas of Queensland. Councillors and mayors from every corner of Queensland came together for a breakfast. There was a panel discussion and a trade fair. It was wonderful to see so many local mayors and counsellors from across Queensland, notably Councillor Tanya Milligan, Mayor of the Lockyer Valley Regional Council from my electorate. And there were some new faces—Robert Donaldson, a new councillor from Central Highlands, who was accompanied by Rachael Cruwys and Karen Newman from the Central Highlands Regional Council. Zoro, the Mayor of Murweh Shire Council needs no introduction. It is always good to catch up with him, and he has recently appointed a CEO, Bruce Scott OAM—no stranger to this place. And there was Andrew Martin, the Mayor of Blackall-Tambo Regional Council.

I am a member of the Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport, and we are currently doing an inquiry into local government sustainability. I look forward to working with local governments right around this country and to continue my strong engagement with the local government sector in the months ahead.