MURRAY River Council will be represented at the 2025 National General Assembly of the Australian Local Government Association in Canberra in June.
The council last week approved the attendance of acting chief executive Sarah Ryan, Mayor John Harvie, councillors Gen Campbell, Joy Allen, Gary Pappin, Neil Gorey, Kylie Berryman, Dennis Gleeson and Bianca Hurn, and also resolved to consider putting forward motions for consideration at the assembly.
ALGA has sought motions that align with this year’s theme, National Priorities Need Local Solutions, and identify opportunities for new federal programs and policies that will support councils to build trust, both in communities and as a local delivery partner for the Australian Government.
The advocacy for increased Commonwealth Financial Assistant Grants has been flagged as a priority motion to put forward to the agenda, with the final list of motions to be put to the council’s February meeting for ratification.
The NGA is the premier national gathering of local governments, and provides councils with the opportunity to come together, share ideas, debate motions, and most importantly unite and further build on the relationship between local government and the Australian Government.
In structure, ALGA is a federation of member state and territory associations. Its mission is to achieve outcomes for local government through advocacy with impact, and maximise the economic, environmental and social wellbeing of councils and our communities.
Ms Ryan said debate on motions was introduced to the NGA as a “vehicle for councils from across the nation to canvas ideas”.
“Outcomes of debate on motions (NGA resolutions) could be used by participating councils to inform their own policies and priorities, as well as their advocacy when dealing with federal politicians.
“At the same time, they help ALGA, and its member state and territory associations gain valuable insight into council priorities, emerging national issues, and the level of need and support for new policy and program initiatives.”
In past years, Murray River Council has believed it is important for delegates to attend the NGA to ensure the motions submitted are heard and fully supported with the delegates being there to address any questions on the submissions made.
The decision in past years was to have the CEO and mayor attend as delegates, with the option of other councillors attending if it was beneficial for more to attend.
The approximate cost for travel and accommodation is $2500 per person (depending on the timing/cost of flights). Accommodation is costly due to the number of people attending the NGA from across the nation.
In addition, there is the cost of the attendees to the assembly, which is yet to be determined as the registrations have not been opened yet. The cost to attend last year’s NGA was $1120 as an early bird registration, it is likely that we will see a slight increase in that cost for 2025.
Cr Pappin said he supported the CEO and mayor attending, but also other councillors that want to attend.
“I most certainly want to go,” he said. “I most certainly will not miss the opportunity to have conversations, arguments or debates, robust conversation with various different other councils.
“If I get the ears of a few ministers, I will make the most of it and raise our issues and our concerns at that level from from our area.”
