Motions for Debate
The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) is pleased to convene the 33rd National General Assembly of Local Government (NGA), to be held in Canberra June 2027.
As convenor of the NGA, the ALGA Board cordially invites all councils to send representatives to this important national event.
The NGA is the premier national gathering of local governments, and provides councils with the opportunity to come together, share ideas, debate motions, and most importantly unite and further build on the relationship between local government and the Australian Government.
A discussion paper providing further information, and outlining the criteria that motions must meet, can be downloaded below.
Motions close on Wednesday 24 February 2027.
We look forward to welcoming you to Canberra in June.
Discussion Paper
Download the full discussion paper for all the information you require to submit a motion.
FAQ
We understand that you may have some questions about submitting motions, please see the FAQ section here
If you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to email alga@alga.asn.au and we will be happy to answer them.
Who can submit a motion?
Any council that is a financial member of their state or territory local government association can submit a motion.
We will not accept motions submitted on behalf of external third parties that may seek to use the NGA to apply pressure to Board members or gain national political exposure for positions that are not directly relevant to the work of, or in the national interests of, local government.
How can I make sure I don't submit a motion that was already debated in the last three years?
See 2024 Resolutions and 2025 Resolutions and 2026 Resolutions for reference
What are the 2027 categories for debate?
ALGA's key priorities are:
- Securing financial growth for local government;
- roads, transport and community infrastructure;
- Closing the Gap;
- emergency management;
- housing enabling infrastructure;
- local government jobs and skills;
- environment; and
- climate change
More information around these can be found int he discussion paper linked above.
What is the criteria for motions?
To be eligible for inclusion in the NGA Business Papers, and debate it on the floor of the NGA, you must meet the following criteria:
- Submit a new motion that has not been debated at an NGA in the preceding three years as found in previous business papers on the ALGA website.
- Ensure your motion is relevant to the work of local government across the nation, not focused on a specific location or region, unless the project has national implications.
- Align your motion with the policy objectives of your state and territory local government association.
- Propose a clear action and outcome on a single issue, calling on the Australian Government to take action. Motions covering more than one issue will not be accepted.
- Ensure the motion does not seek to advantage one or a few councils at the expense of others.
- Avoid being prescriptive in directing how the matter should be pursued.
Who will speak to the motion at the NGA?
We expect any council that submits a motion to be present at the National General Assembly to move and speak to the motion. The decision on the speaker is at the discretion of the council.