NEW ALGA PRESIDENT

Mayor Lewis was appointed to the presidency, following the decision by previous President, Genia McCaffery not to recontest the position of Mayor of North Sydney in last weekend's local government elections.

Mayor Lewis said her main priority was championing ALGA's case for constitutional change.

"Securing recognition of local government in the Australian Constitution is the only sure way of protecting direct federal funding for community services and infrastructure," Mayor Lewis said.

ALGA had put forward its proposals to the Australian Government on holding a referendum on the issue at a time that maximises local government's chances for success.

"We have called for the establishment of a Parliamentary Committee to look at the issues related to a referendum on the constitutional recognition of local government," Mayor Lewis said.

"This week, I wrote to each political party, including the Independents, requesting a commitment that they will support the establishment of a Joint Parliamentary Committee, with a request that ALGA be consulted on its terms of reference," Mayor Lewis said.

ALGA is seeking an amendment of Section 96 of the Constitution so that it would read: "Parliament may grant financial assistance to any state or local government body formed by or under a law of a state or territory on such terms and conditions as the Parliament sees fit."

Mayor Lewis will also be working hard to ensure councils receive sufficient funding as a result of the federal government's planned review of the Financial Assistants Grants (FAGs). FAGs were designed to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of local government but ALGA has long argued that the amount provided to councils is not adequate and does not reflect increased costs to local government in construction and wages.

For more on Mayor Lewis' plans for local government, visit http://alga.asn.au/