Today, I have formally invited mayors and shire presidents to the second meeting of the Australian Council of Local Government (ACLG) at Parliament House on 25 June 2009.

This builds on the success of the first meeting, held in November 2008, which brought together more than 400 mayors and shire presidents with Cabinet ministers and the Prime Minister.

The ACLG is part of the Rudd Government’s new partnership with local government to deliver better infrastructure and services in our communities.

The theme for this year’s meeting, ‘Building Resilience in Local Communities’, will give federal and local governments the opportunity to continue to work together to address the impact of global economic recession on communities.

The ACLG meeting date has been determined in consultation with the Australian Local Government Association, which has its National Assembly in Canberra immediately beforehand.

Since the inaugural ACLG meeting, we have seen a sharp decline in global economic circumstances.

Local communities have also experienced extreme weather events, from devastating bushfires in Victoria to floods in Queensland and New South Wales.

Economic and climatic events have tested the resolve of Australians and the capacity of governments to respond.

The ACLG meeting provides a forum for governments to develop ways to address the challenges ahead.

All elected Mayors and Shire Presidents will be invited to attend.