Sydney - Middle East Times Int’l: I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, and I pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging. 

It’s such a pleasure to be here with you. Even on the coldest winter’s night, you can be assured of a warm welcome here in Canberra.

When the Australian people gave Labor the privilege of forming government, one of our priorities was fulfilling our vow to bring the Australian Council of Local Government back to the table – where you belong. 

Local government is the level of government that Australians interact with at a personal level the most.

Councils are the lifeblood of Australia’s cities, towns, and regions.

You’re dealing directly with the services, facilities and infrastructure people need and use day to day.

Just as you are uniquely placed to understand the challenges communities face, you have a clear insight into what needs to be done. 

You’re accessible and responsive. You’re creative and innovative and adaptive – in ways that can be harder for larger governments.

So many of your responsibilities – whether it’s roads, waste collection, parks, libraries or swim centres – are the building blocks of society.

They’re about how communities can work best. They’re about building communities that people are proud to be part of. 

That is why local government should be close to everyone’s heart.

I can tell you that the Australian Council of Local Government is very close to mine.

Last year we reinstated the ACLG after a decade– but the first one ever was back in 2008, when I was Minister for Local Government. 

I remain very proud of the role I was able to play – in the original story, and in the sequel. Both times I was driven by my profound appreciation of just how essential local government is in the health and strength of our nation.

I felt strongly that we wouldn’t get far with our national priorities unless we worked with local governments, who are delivering for people every day.

Among those priorities are being better prepared for natural disasters, delivering essential services, driving the transformation to clean energy, and delivering more secure and affordable housing. 

These are all challenges that the different levels of government are dealing with.

And it's much better if we deal with these things together in a spirit of consultation and co-operation.

The Government I am proud to lead is one that is always ready to walk the talk. That’s why in May we announced a doubling of the Roads to Recovery program.

That makes $4.4 billion available to councils across this continent to maintain, repair and upgrade local roads. 

It gets potholes filled and drainage improved, all the while supporting local road construction and local jobs. 

And as it enables councils to make roads safer, it frees them up to spend their money on their other priorities. 

Crucially, the Government has worked closely with councils to ensure that funding is distributed where it is needed and able to be spent more quickly. 

That represents the nature of the relationship that should exist between local and national government. 

Tonight, we’ll be celebrating the National Awards for Local Government. I’m pleased to say my connection with them goes way back.

As a matter of fact, all the way back to my time as a young adviser in the office of my dear friend and mentor, Tom Uren.

In 1986, when Tom was Minister for Local Government, he came up with these awards as a way to shine an overdue light on the role that councils play in improving the lives of his fellow Australians. 

Tom was guided by an innate humanitarianism, coupled with a great sense of practicality. 

And it was those two instincts that allowed him to recognise local government as the great vehicle for improving the communities that make up our nation.

I couldn’t be more pleased that nearly 40 years later, I have the privilege of presenting these Awards.

I’m pleased to say that so many of my colleagues also have a full appreciation of what they are and what they represent.

For quite a number of my team, being a councillor was their entry into public life, the crucial first step they took when they put up their hand and got involved, knowing that if you want to make a difference, that’s what you have to do.

Kristy McBain, our current Minister for Local Government, was a councillor and then Mayor of Bega Shire.

Chris Bowen, Minister for Climate Change and Energy, was the Mayor of Fairfield.

Michelle Rowland, our Communications Minister, was Deputy Mayor of Blacktown. 

Clare O’Neill, our Home Affairs Minister, was Mayor of Greater Dandenong.

Libby Coker, the member for Corangamite, was Mayor of Surf Coast Shire.

Tracey Roberts, the member for Pearce, was Mayor of Wanneroo.

And Emma McBride, our Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, served on the Wyong Shire Council.

They’ll all be part of our discussions tomorrow.

My team understands just how important your work is.

And why it’s important to bring you together –to get to grips with the challenges facing us, and to celebrate the work you do every day. 

I know you’re not out there doing the hard yards for the recognition. Nevertheless, recognition is what tonight is about.

Recognition of the impact of your work. 

Recognition of the huge spectrum of your responsibilities and achievements. 

And recognition that what you do adds to local government’s role as one of the pillars of our democracy. So much of our progress towards a better future depends on what you do at the local level.

On the energy transition, for instance, it’s fantastic to see the way local governments are leading.

Electric vehicles, carbon accounting, increasing tree canopy cover and biodiversity, making council-owned buildings more energy efficient, and investing in low-emissions transport.

You’re doing so much to reduce your communities’ carbon footprints. And we’re backing you.

This time last year I announced the $100 million Community Energy Upgrades Fund. We’ve already had one round of grant applications; the next one is expected to open in early 2025.

We know you can continue to lead.  You are the ones who know where the needs and the opportunities are. The strengths, the advantages, the weak points.

You are right there on the ground, making life better for people where you live.

Caring about the people and the places around you.

Local parks and playgrounds where young children might take their first steps, or make their first friend.

Pools, courts, cricket grounds and footy fields where kids first discover the joys of sport, and the inclusive power of team spirit.

Local libraries that open doors into worlds we might never have known.

All these things are irreplaceable, and they exist because of you.

I believe that as a nation, we're only as strong as our communities.

So I thank you for what you do every day to keep your communities safe, healthy, connected, and growing.

And I thank you for coming to Canberra this week. 

I know it’s been quite a trek for some of you. I appreciate your commitment to being here and being part of what is a very important conversation.

You've brought constructive ideas, and you've come together in a spirit of goodwill. And it’s together that we’re always at our best.

Congratulations to all of tonight’s award nominees.

Enjoy your evening, and I look forward to a constructive and collaborative day tomorrow.