Address to the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors
I’ll begin by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land on which we gather, the Wadjuk people of the Nyoongar nation, and pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
I extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with us here today.
The plural of cul-de-sac is culs-de-sac, a plural of attorney general is attorneys-general.
Somewhat less exciting, the plural of Lord Mayor is the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors.
But the work you do is exciting.
I’d like to acknowledge the Lord Mayors in attendance today:
Sandy Verschoor – Adelaide.
Adrian Schrinner – Brisbane.
Kon Vatskalis – Darwin.
Nicholas Reece – Melbourne.
Basil Zempilas – Perth.
An easy way to get a laugh in Perth is to make a joke about the many jobs our Lord Mayor has.
It’s a bit unfair, I think it’s important that leaders lead by example.
And Basil is doing his bit for the labour shortages by holding down as many jobs as he can.
I’ll avoid making the obvious joke about Basil moving into State or Federal politics.
Although I do think he’s a great leader – he doesn’t see red states or blue states.
Just AFL states and NRL states.
We’re also fortunate to be joined by the ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr.
As a Perth politician that regularly travels to Canberra it is a bit of a novelty having it the other way around.
I welcome it, but a bit of advice Andrew, in Perth if someone asks you ‘have you got the numbers?’ They’re probably talking about the lotto not the leadership.
Unless it’s Basil – who’s probably talking about the ratings.
Today I want to talk about the vision that local government drives, the importance of partnerships, and the government’s plan for the future.
I am Patrick Gorman, Federal Member for Perth and Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister.
I have lived in our nation’s capital city of Canberra, the City of Brisbane, and the City of Sydney.
But I have never lived in the City of Perth.
I live in North Perth which after 80 years of loyal service to the City of Perth was placed into retirement at the City of Vincent.
I have been fortunate to spend time in each of your cities.
Put simply - I know and love your cities and, like the Prime Minister, I know the crucial role you play.
Capital Cities always have lots on their plate.
The meeting place of their states.
The unofficial welcome to first time visitors.
Home to every peak organisation, State Parliament, major ASX company and government agency.
And in the case of Perth, the Governor even lives next door - and like a classic Perth battle-axe block - they even share a driveway.
Development pressures to house the people and businesses that provide growth.
And over the last few decades the challenges have increased.
To name just a few:
Climate change and the race to net zero by 2050.
A more assertive China.
Slow progress on global development from gender equality, education, and poverty alleviation.
More recently we add global health challenges.
Russia’s unjustified war on Ukraine.
Attacks on democracy.
And cost of living and inflationary pressures across the economy.
These aren’t just challenges at a local level.
Yet I know they involve as much as your thinking as they do mine.
Cities run and done well.
That’s what we all aspire to.
And policy leadership at an Australian Government level is essential.
As the Prime Minister has said on many occasions “cities policy has been one of the abiding passions of my time in public life”.
A Prime Minister with an abiding passion for cities policy.
What more could you ask for?
We want ambitious visionary cities.
That get the basics right, and build a better future.
It’s what we’re doing with the City Deals.
Joint agreements between the three levels of government.
Developing and redeveloping vital infrastructure in our cities.
The Perth Lord Mayor and I have been fortunate to see it firsthand in the WACA redevelopment.
It’s a project that will ensure an iconic piece of infrastructure can continue to play a key role in Perth City.
It’s all part of the Albanese Government’s plan to ensure capital cities remain thriving hubs of activity.
I have been very fortunate to be able to partner with our Mayor.
We have worked together on everything.
From small lighting projects to a shared vision for an Aboriginal Cultural Centre which the Albanese Government has committed $50m towards.
The Prime Minister knows that we get more working together.
You see that on the international stage.
And you see it in our commitment to give Local Government more of a say, with Local Government to be invited to future meetings of National Cabinet.
If we’re to be successful, it’s important we maintain an ongoing dialogue.
I encourage you all to engage at every stage of the policy process.
With Infrastructure Australia as it considers the important future projects we need.
With Treasury as it attempts to deal with our future financial challenges.
And with your local Members of Parliament as they advocate on your behalf.
We all know there are many significant challenges facing us at the moment.
It’s why it’s so important we have a federal government that has a clear vision and plan to address these challenges.
All levels of government have a role to play in addressing climate change.
It’s pleasing so many local governments have committed to net zero.
And that we now have a federal government with a clear plan to achieve it.
Implementing the Uluru Statement from the Heart is a unique opportunity for Australia, including for all our governments, to come together and achieve a very special reform.
The Albanese Government is also committed to establishing a powerful, transparent and independent National Anti-Corruption Commission.
This is important for a range of reasons. It will provide local governments with the confidence that their dealings with the federal government are fair and honest.
Processing the backlog of visa applications is another immediate challenge we face.
The department of Home Affairs has granted more than 1.3 million visas since November 2021.
The Department will continue to process all on-hand applications, including those lodged while the borders were closed.
We will deliver cheaper childcare for Australian families. This is a fundamental economic reform that will play key role in ensuring our cities remain busy vibrant places.
And we will reshape Infrastructure Australia, with a review that will get it back on track and ensure the big infrastructure decisions that have the power to transform our cities are made with integrity.
The big city building, nation building project of the new government is not a singular piece of infrastructure.
It is our goal to bring the country together.
To gather, discuss our ideas, our difference, and forge a path forward.
Just as you are doing today.
And my one request of you today is to embrace your role in working with us to bring the country together.
Given the challenges we face.
Given the opportunities that are available to Australia.
Because if we bring the country together we can get more done.