DM with the PM

Story by Lara Leahy

Images provided by Danielle Mulholland

The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) met last week, and 562 councils came together to discuss issues of national significance and common challenges.

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The new Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese and Senator Murray Watt attended and met with some of the flood affected councils from SE QLD and the Northern Rivers area.  Topics surrounding the issues being experienced in these areas were discussed, as well as potential solutions.

These topics included aspects of homelessness and the need for housing, infrastructure damage to roads, bridges and causeways, mental health related issues to flood affected residents and volunteers.  Also considered was telecommunication breakdowns in times of disaster, community resilience and the concerns surrounding reliance on ageing and exhausted volunteers.

Danielle Mulholland was in attendance, and in her innovative and tenacious manner of drawing attention to her region, provided the Prime Minister with what she calls a “show bag” full of goodies from Kyogle and surrounds.  Cr Mulholland said, “He seemed quite pleased.  He sure knows where Kyogle is now!”

Curious as to what the bag included, Cr Mulholland gave us a sneak peak into the cotton tote, emblazoned with a Kyogle Brush Turkey.  Our PM is now the proud owner (well he should be) of a Bonalbo Working Dog tin cup, a Woodenbong Yowie stubbie cooler, he can browse the Kyogle Culture magazine, sample some locally made jams and honey from Kyogle and there’s some paperwork to look over snuck into it.

A full report on the ALGA meeting will be covered soon.