I am coming to you today from the Sunshine Coast where an important two-day meeting has been taking place, the LGAQ Board’s strategic planning meeting.

The Local Government Association of Queensland’s enhanced focus on Federal advocacy is continuing.

The membership of the Policy Executive is designed to ensure the views of all 77 councils across this state are represented.

Federal advocacy is critical to local government with the bulk of our funding coming via Canberra.

Folks, as I speak to you today your Association’s Federal Budget submission is landing in the inboxes of Commonwealth Ministers.

This week’s cyclone threat in North Queensland and severe storms in the southeast drove home to me just how far councils have come this century in their disaster preparedness and response.

When it comes to the role and function of local government - Old is New Again in 2021!

It is the final CEO wrap for 2020 and we at the LGAQ wanted to simply say to you, our member mayors and councillors, well done for making it through an extremely tough year.

The latest LGAQ 2020 Annual Workforce Census is evidence of just how important a role you play in supporting and creating jobs.

Christmas is now just around the corner - but before we get there, a once-in-a-generation COVID-19 era State Budget beckons.

I was back on the road this week folks, first flying to Winton and then driving 700km to Charleville.

It gives me great pleasure as your acting CEO this week to introduce to you our new Head of Advocate Alison Smith.

To say it has been a crazy week is an understatement. We have had the State Election on Halloween, a Melbourne Cup run under very different COVID-19 circumstances, and the USA Election.

Political impartiality is one of the LGAQ’s key advocacy tenets. It has been for decades.
We do not play politics.

Well folks, that is a wrap on another successful Local Government Association of Queensland Annual Conference.