ALGA welcomes changes to Howard ministry
25 January 2006
The extent of the changes to the Coalition's frontbench has today been welcomed by the Australian Local Government Association.
"We particularly welcome the stability given to portfolios of key importance to local government, with the Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads, Jim Lloyd, the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Warren Truss, and the Minister for Heritage and Environment, Senator Ian Campbell, remaining in these roles," ALGA President, Cr Paul Bell said.
"We have been very pleased with the solid working relationship these ministers have developed with local government and look forward to making further progress on the issues of concern to councils and the communities they serve.
"We also congratulate Julie Bishop on her well deserved appointment as the Minister for Education, Science and Training. As Minister for Ageing, she developed an important partnership with local government to assist councils address the impact and challenges of an ageing population.
"These challenges are substantial and the partnership developed by ALGA and the Minister will be of enduring value. We look forward to continuing our relationship with the Minister on issues such as training, learning communities and the development of regional universities.
"We warmly congratulate Senator Santo Santoro on his appointment as Minister for Ageing and look forward to building on the good work achieved by his predecessor. Our partnership with the Australian Government on ageing issues has been placed in good hands.
"Water is an important issue for all councils, and, as such, we welcome the appointment of Malcolm Turnbull as Parliamentary Secretary assisting the Prime Minister on water issues.
"The Australian Government, working with state, territory and local government, has done much to address the insurance crisis that has faced Australia in the past few years. The Minister for Revenue and Assistant Treasurer has had responsibility for handling insurance issues on behalf of the Commonwealth. We therefore welcome the appointment of Peter Dutton to this important portfolio and congratulate his predecessors, Helen Coonan and Mal Brough, on their significant achievements over the past few years.
"Indigenous affairs is also an issue of importance to local government. We note the transfer of the responsibility for this portfolio from Immigration to Family and Community Services. We welcome the appointment of Mal Brough to the new portfolio of Family, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
"We also welcome the appointment of former Minister for Citizenship, John Cobb, as Minister for Community Services, and the appointment of Andrew Robb as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs.
"While there is now no minister with sole responsibility for citizenship matters, we look forward to working with the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Senator Vanstone, and her Parliamentary Secretary, Andrew Robb, on citizenship matters affecting local government.
"ALGA also passes its sincere congratulations to two newly promoted MPs with local government backgrounds - Bruce Billson, who becomes Minister for Veterans Affairs, and Bob Baldwin, now Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources.
"We also thank Senator Ian Macdonald for his important contribution as a minister over the past few years. He served as the federal local government minister from 1998 to 2001 and was held in high regard," Cr Bell said.
- Contact:
- Cr Paul Bell AM, ALGA President - 0418 791 596
- Rohan Greenland, ALGA Public Affairs - 0412 85 9434 / 02 6122 9434
