Local government gains full membership of Housing Ministers' Conference
March 27, 2009
The President of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), Cr Geoff Lake, today welcomed a decision by the Housing Ministers' Conference for ALGA to be elevated to full membership of the peak ministerial council body.
The Housing Ministers' Conference consists of the Housing Minister in each Australian State and Territory along with Federal Housing Minister Tanya Plibersek and Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin. The Conference serves as a vehicle for the formal liaison between the Australian Government and the states and territories on major issues concerning housing policies and programs.
Speaking from Adelaide where he was attending the meeting as an observer on behalf of local government, Cr Lake said he was pleased that the role of local government in helping to meet Australia's future housing challenges was formally recognised by the Housing Ministers.
"This is a timely decision which gives local government equal status at the Housing Ministers' Conference alongside the states and territories," Cr Lake said. "Local government is already a strong player in the national arena with full membership of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) and involvement in 12 other ministerial councils.
"Housing is a logical portfolio area for local government engagement given our involvement in the new National Affordable Housing Agreement, the Nation Building and Jobs Plan and associated national partnership agreements on social housing, homelessness and remote indigenous housing.
"With full membership of the Housing Ministers' Conference, local government will be able to assist in developing national policy relating to planning, housing and community infrastructure. Councils are keen to play a key role in delivering these important national reforms"
ALGA is member of COAG and thirteen other ministerial councils. Until today's decision, along with New Zealand, it was classified as an observer on the Housing Ministers' Conference, and did not participate in the Housing Ministers' Advisory Committee, consisting of senior housing officials.
- Contact
- Cr Geoff Lake, ALGA President - 0411 645 281
- Amanda Lynch, Director, Public Affairs 0419 123 862 / 02 6122 9434
