MEDIA RELEASE The Hon Anthony Albanese MP Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government 05 February 2009 AA015/2009

AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT - STEERING COMMITTEE MEETS FOR THE FIRST TIME Today, the Australian Council of Local Government (ACLG) Steering Committee met for the first time to advance the partnership between the Rudd Government and local government and tackle the challenges facing local and regional communities. The Steering Committee is the smaller body established to continue co-operation, engagement and policy coordination between annual meetings of the ACLG, to which all Mayors and Shire Presidents are invited.   Current global financial circumstances have underlined the need for all levels of government to work together to deliver better services and infrastructure to local communities. The Steering Committee, which met in Parliament House, will focus on three key priorities identified at the ACLG inaugural meeting held in November 2008. They are: develop a stronger relationship between the two spheres of government; reform infrastructure and services provided by local government; and make progress towards the Constitutional recognition of local government. In addition, they also provided advice to the Government today on the delivery of the $800 million Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program. The Steering Committee, which I will chair, brings together key local government leaders, stakeholders and experts from across Australia. The members are: Cr Geoff Lake Deputy Chair, ACLG President, Australian Local Government Association Councillor, City of Monash Cr Campbell Newman Lord Mayor, Brisbane City Council Cr Robert Doyle Lord Mayor, City of Melbourne Cr Clover Moore MP Lord Mayor, City of Sydney Chairperson, Council of Capital City Lord Mayors Cr Paul Bell President, Local Government Association of Queensland            Councillor, Central Highlands Regional Council Cr Genia McCaffery President, New South Wales Local Government Association        Mayor, North Sydney Council Cr Ronald Lami Lami Councillor, West Arnhem Shire Council Former Chairperson of West Arnhem Shire Transition Committee Cr Bruce Miller President, Shires Association of New South Wales Councillor, Cowra Shire Council Cr Joy Baluch President, Local Government Association of South Australia       Mayor, Port Augusta City Council Cr Michael Gaffney President, Local Government Association of Tasmania   Mayor of Latrobe Council Cr Lisa Scaffidi Lord Mayor, City of Perth Ald. Kerry Moir President, Local Government Association of Northern Territory Councillor, Darwin City Council Mr Troy Pickard Deputy President, Western Australian Local Government Association Mayor, City of Joondalup Cr Mary-Lou Corcoran Mayor, City of Victor Harbor Ray Pincombe National President, Local Government Managers Australia Cr Barry Sammels Chair National Sea Change Taskforce Mayor, City of Rockingham Mayor Jenny Dowell Mayor, Lismore City Council Cr Linton Reynolds National Growth Areas Alliance Mayor, City of Armadale Cr Pam Macleod President, Australian Local Government Women's Association (Victorian Branch) Councillor, City of Whittlesea Associate Professor Graham Sansom Director, Centre for Local Government, University of Technology Sydney Cr Lisa Price Mayor, La Trobe City Council Mr Paul Slape National Secretary, Australian Services Union Cr Allan Sutherland Mayor, Moreton Bay Regional Council Cr Val Schier Mayor, Cairns Regional Council Cr Ron Hoenig Mayor, City of Botany Bay Cr Lynne Craigie Shire President, Shire of East Pilbara Further information about the ACLG can be found at: www.aclg.gov.au Media Contacts Moksha Watts ( Mr Albanese's Office ) 0413 389 070   URL: http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/aa/releases/2009/February/AA015_2009.htm