Ash Ambihaipahar (Barton, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to speak on this particular motion tonight and thank the member for Mallee for bringing this matter forward. As the newly elected member for the seat of Barton, I appreciate the opportunity to make a contribution to this debate, particularly given my own experience in local government. Before entering parliament, I proudly served as a councillor on Georges River Council, which covers a portion of my electorate. I recently resigned from that position due to my new role here in this place, to ensure that this role gets the attention and focus it deserves and that the community of the ward I was representing on Georges River Council will have a councillor that can focus on the needs and issues that arise there.

My time in local government has given me a deep understanding of the challenges councils face on the ground, from road maintenance, waste collection and community services to strategic planning. While I understand this motion specifically highlights issues facing our regions, I want to emphasise that local government—regional, rural and metropolitan—is the closest level of government to our communities and that that proximity is absolutely vital. Having worked closely with some of my regional councillor colleagues and communities, I recognise the unique shared challenges across all jurisdictions, particularly around constraints with funding, growing service expectations and ageing infrastructure.

That's why the Albanese Labor government is committed to supporting a robust and sustainable local government sector. One of the first acts in the last parliament, it is my understanding, was to refer the matter of local government financial sustainability to the House Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport. This was the first inquiry of its kind, it is my understanding, in over 20 years; it was very much long overdue. The interim report my colleague mentioned here tonight was released earlier this year, in February 2025, reflecting the depth of concern and engagement across the sector. My understanding is there were over 280 written submissions and 16 public hearings. The finding of this particular report is very clear: the role of local government has grown dramatically and the funding model needs to evolve accordingly. As members will know, the inquiry was put on hold due to the federal election. In line with parliamentary practice, the previous committee lapsed, but we have committed to re-establishing it. My understanding is that consultation is currently underway to determine some sort of timing and, once the committee resumes, the government will again be referring this inquiry to ensure that its vital work continues, because we understand what's at stake.

We've reinstated the Australian Council of Local Government to put local priorities back on the national stage. We've backed that commitment with investment of $3.3 billion in financial assistance grants this year alone. We're doubling the Roads to Recovery Program to $1 billion annually over five years and we've boosted the Black Spot Program to $150 million a year. We've merged several infrastructure programs into the $200 million Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program, and there's plenty more. This isn't just talk; it's real money. It is about targeting real solutions for our local needs.

I also need to highlight the contrast with those opposite. When the coalition were in government, they froze the indexation of financial assistance grants, ripping nearly a billion dollars away from councils. They abolished the Australia Council of Local Government and ignored local voices for a decade. They claim to support regional Australia but delivered pork-barrelled press releases instead of actual infrastructure. The last time I checked, we can't build roads with press releases.

We've invested $33 billion in housing initiatives, including support for social and affordable housing and expanding the Help to Buy scheme. We're making TAFE free and expanding university access throughout the regional hubs. We're backing apprentices with a $10,000 incentive. We've strengthened Medicare and delivered 87 urgent care clinics—31 in regional Australia—and much, much more, which my colleague will speak on tonight.

Labor governs for all Australians, whether they live in our inner cities and outer suburbs or in the far-flung regional towns, because postcodes should never limit potential. We're building a future where local government is not just heard but supported, where the regions are not just remembered but respected and where communities are not just surviving but thriving. (Time expired)

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