The world is now aware that Australia is in the midst of a nation-defining process of reconciliation between its First Peoples and the rest of our society. One of the people who began the walk across the bridge with me was the President of the Australian Local Government Association, Councillor John Ross, of South Australia. As you might have seen on television, Councillor Ross joined the Premiers and Chief Ministers, the Governor-General, the Prime Minister and other national leaders on the stage the day before when the national documents for reconciliation were presented to the nation. His presence recognised the importance the Council places on the work of local government in the process of reconciliation. Local government shows leadership in local communities and it is in communities where reconciliation takes root.
Local government is also a major service deliverer.
As part of Corroboree 2000, I had the honour to receive from Councillor Ross a framed statement of commitment from Local Government. I understand that this statement was adopted by the executive of the Australian Local Government Association in February this year and is now being adopted and supported by local councils throughout Australia. On a related note, I would like to thank Salisbury Council for all its efforts for reconciliation over the last six to seven years. I pay tribute also to your former Mayor, David Plumridge, who, in his term as President of ALGA, did so much to emphasis the role of local councils in advancing national reconciliation. During his term, two series of grants funded by the Federal Government helped to engage many local councils in reconciliation efforts.