Local Government NSW (LGNSW) is calling for a seat at the table at National Cabinet, after the Covid-19 saw their national representation group disbanded in favour the establishment of the National Cabinet in 2020. 

LGNSW has thrown their support behind the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) election campaign; ‘Don’t Leave Local Communities Behind’. 

As part of the platform, LGNSW is calling for local government to be included on National Cabinet so that local voices are heard and represented. 

LGNSW President Cr Darriea Turley said that the handling of the pandemic showed the limitations without a local level voice, with widespread confusion and uncertainty over lockdowns, border closures and COVID vaccinations.

“Local government is the closest level of government to local communities and has a wide range of strengths and knowledge that other tiers of government don’t,” Cr Turley said. 

“No one is more aware of what is happening at a grass roots level than local councils,” she said. 

With the disbanding of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) came the elimination of the voice of 537 councils. The alternative National Cabinet that was formed instead featured the voice of Premiers, Chief Ministers and the Prime Minister. 

Cr Turley said that the result was important decisions being made without any input from a community level and considerations of councils.

“Councils play a crucial role in a number of policy areas including housing affordability, transport infrastructure and environmental management,” Cr Turley said.

In a commissioned review of COAG Councils and Ministerial Forums, however, the COAG formed by council representation groups was a ‘slow, bottom-up framework for intergovernmental cooperation that too often resulted in lowest common denominator outcomes’.

“National Cabinet, in contrast, deals with issues quickly, based on advice from experts, with leaders dictating the priorities and parameters for their governments to implement,” the report stated. 

While the COAG is long gone, Cr Turley said representation from ALGA at the national table to have a say on policy issues is best for communities. 

“It will also ensure that the voices of our regional and rural communities are also considered as it is important that all communities benefit from decision making and aren’t left behind,” she said.  

Currently, there is little opportunity for the local level voice, with the three levels of government - federal, state and local - meeting only once a year at the National Federation Reform Council. 

With only one annual meeting, there is little time for productivity and progress. 

“We need to be able to work effectively with the Federal Government to continue to drive a locally-led economic recovery and make sure our communities bounce back better. 

“Local government having a voting seat at the national cabinet and being included on relevant ministerial forums is crucial to allow for a better partnership between each level of government and will also help to create better connected and stronger communities."

LGNSW and ALGA are calling for whoever forms government in the upcoming election to support their bid to include the local voice.