Mayor Cr Laura Binks to advise state government on local government matters

Strathbogie Shire Council Mayor Cr Laura Binks is one of 13 mayors to be appointed to the Local Government Mayoral Advisory Panel (LGMAP).

Cr Binks will join a mix of urban, regional and rural mayors and Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne throughout four meetings this year.

The panel’s role is to offer the Minister advice on legislative, regulatory, strategic and policy issues that affect councils across the state.

“Being selected to sit on the Local Government Mayoral Advisory Panel is a great opportunity to contribute to the ongoing work of creating a brilliant local government sector,” she said.

“I’m excited to participate in this important forum and work with colleagues from across Victoria to advise the Minister on matters impacting local government.

“We know that local government is a critical level of government, and ensuring that we are in the room when decisions are being made that impact us is something I will be advocating for.

“I also look forward to discussing further with fellow mayors and the minister the importance of adequate community and leadership education to ensure we have a strong and diverse field of candidates to stand at each council election.”

Cr Binks said the Victorian Government was committed to 50 per cent female representation at the local government level by 2025.

“I know more needs to be done to ensure communities can find, support and elect women to these important roles of government,” she said.

“The culture of local government is an area I am committed to working to improve.

“The Local Government Culture Report that was released in May 2022 provides a great starting point for how the sector can address and improve the challenges it faces and I look forward to working the LGMAP to explore how the state can support the sector in achieving the recommendations outline in this important report.”