The Rudd Labor Government will hold the third Australian Council of Local Government (ACLG), the nation’s largest gathering of mayors and shire presidents, at Parliament House next week.

The ACLG will bring together more than 400 local government representatives, federal ministers and parliamentary secretaries.

In a new format this year, the nation’s mayors and shire presidents will have the opportunity to directly engage with ministers and parliamentary secretaries in an open cabinet forum followed by one-on-one and panel meetings.

This meeting continues our ongoing dialogue with local government on ways to improve the delivery of infrastructure and services to local communities.

I expect our discussions to focus on a number of issues, including the impacts of the global financial crisis on local communities, climate change, and the need for continued investment in infrastructure, health and education across our major cities and regional communities.

Since the first ACLG in November 2008, the Rudd Labor Government has worked with local government to support local jobs and invest in infrastructure during the worst global financial crisis in nearly 80 years.

We have delivered record investments in local government including more than $1 billion for nearly 5,000 local infrastructure projects across every local government.

In addition, we have partnered with local government to establish a $25 million for a new Local Government Reform Fund as well as a new Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government.

We have done this because local government is the level of government closest to the people.

I look forward to welcoming its representatives to Canberra next week.

I will also be convening the ACLG Steering Committee ahead of next week’s meeting to discuss and finalise arrangements.

To register, for updates and additional information: 02 8569 7658 or www.aclg.gov.au