CANBERRA, ACT, Aug. 27 -- The Prime Minister of Australia issued the following media release:
I begin by acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, and I pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
And thank you to Country Mayors Association of NSW Chairman, Mayor Rick Firman OAM, for that warm welcome.
All of you here tonight represent two important truths.
Firstly, that local government plays a vital role in the life of our nation.
And secondly, the fact that Australia has always been so much bigger than our big cities.
The regions give this country so much of our strength, both economically and in terms of our identity as a people and as a nation.
Local government has long been one of my priorities....