New President for Australian Local Government Association
November 19, 2008
The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has elected a new President, Cr Geoff Lake, at its Annual General Meeting held in Canberra this afternoon.
Cr Lake is a councillor at the City of Monash and was Vice President of the Australian Local Government Association and President of the Municipal Association of Victoria from 2004-06. He works as a lawyer with a national law firm.
Former President Cr Paul Bell served for two two-year terms and under ALGA's Constitution was ineligible to stand again.
ALGA's Chief Executive Officer Adrian Beresford-Wylie said the election of 28 year-old Cr Lake was 'a generational hand-over' and would ensure that ALGA continued to forge ahead with energy and enthusiasm. Cr Lake will be a fresh face at the next meeting of the Council of Australian Governments on 29 November.
Cr Lake said he had a clear vision and plan for local government to:
- play a bigger part in the government response to the global economic crisis by getting infrastructure investment happening locally;
- reduce unnecessary red tape; and
- raise the standard in council performance.
"There is an unprecedented opportunity for local government to be at the forefront of the Prime Minister's COAG reform agenda and I will ensure the sector is an active and intelligent contributor," he said.
"The community has a right to expect the highest levels of service from their council and I will work hard to promote and deliver reforms that strengthen confidence in local government," he said.
Cr Lake paid tribute to former President Cr Paul Bell. "Paul has passionately promoted the interests of local government over the past four years," he said. "He has worked tirelessly, determinedly and effectively to secure substantial gains for councils across the nation."
- Contact
- ALGA President Cr Geoff Lake - 0411 645 281
- Amanda Lynch, Director, Public Affairs - 0419 123 862 / 02 6122 9434
