Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attended the Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) dinner in Sydney recently.

The prime minister was the keynote speaker at the event and members were pleased to hear his recognition of the financial constraints many councils across Australia face and his commitment to the recent resolution passed at the National Labor Conference to implement the Federation Compact.

“Mr Albanese spoke of the infrastructure funding announced in the Federal Budget and assured agricultural communities reliant on seasonal labour that the government is going to monitor the working holiday visa program and ensure it meets employer demand,” said CMA chair Rick Firman.

“There was some disappointed that the controversial water buyback issue was not covered.

“The prime minister also indicated the Federation Compact was being teased out with state and territory Local Government Associations.

“We need to continue to remind our prime minister, the government as well as opposition and cross benches that financial sustainability of local government is the number one issue for us, and we need their urgent help.

“The board, members, staff and I greatly appreciate that our prime minister took the time to address our function and join us for dinner.

“The vast majority of our CMA members ensure party politics is left out of local government – it’s about our communities.

“The night cemented the NSW CMA as a significant representative of rural, remote and regional councils, on both a state and national level.”

NSW Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig and Shadow Local Government Minister Tim James, LGNSW president Darcy Byrne and CMA chair Rick Firman also addressed the 150 rural, remote and regional NSW council leaders at the gala event.

“It was heartwarming to see our prime minister visibly moved when Parkes Shire mayor Neil Westcott, played guitar and sang captivatingly stirring renditions of ‘Advance Australia Fair’ and ‘And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda’,” Mr Firman said.

“The roof nearly came off the building when we all joined with ayor Westcott and sang our National Anthem together. That’s a moment our CMA family and our prime minister will remember warmly.”