Australia's Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, grew up in a home owned by the City of Sydney Council. With a newly elected Federal Labor Government uniquely invested in a more progressive vision for Australia's 537 local governments, what should the future of local government look like?
Hear from leading Labor Mayors and Councillors about a Labor vision for Local Government, and how to be part of the movement for a more progressive future for every community in Australia.
When: Saturday 15th October, 5pm
Where: Lower Town Hall 1
Speakers
Councillor Linda Scott
Linda is an experienced non-executive director and local government leader, currently serving as the President of the Australian Local Government Association. Linda represents Australia’s 537 local governments on the National Cabinet and the Council of Federal Financial Relations alongside the Prime Minister, Premiers and Chief Ministers, where required, as well as on a range of intergovernmental bodies including the Joint Council on Closing The Gap and the Meeting of Infrastructure and Transport Ministers.
Linda is an accomplished non-executive Board Director and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is the Chair of CareSuper, an award-winning industry superannuation fund with $20 billion under management, and as a Director of the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI). She also serves on a range of Government boards and advisory groups, including the NSW Environmental Trust and CSIRO’s Ending Plastic Waste Mission.
Linda is also a Labor Councillor at the City of Sydney, first elected in 2012 and re-elected in 2016 and 2021. As a City of Sydney councillor, she has won funding for action on climate change, increased support for those experiencing homelessness, funding for new childcare centres and skate ramps, and spearheaded City action to fight racism and support refugees.
Donna Davis
Donna Davis is the Lord Mayor of the City of Parramatta. First elected as a Labor Councillor in September 2017, elected Lord Mayor in January 2022 and is the third female Lord Mayor in the City of Parramatta’s 160-year history.
As Lord Mayor, Donna is committed to working with the community to ensure the City of Parramatta continues to flourish and evolve, building on the work that has been done over consecutive terms of Council.
As a Councillor, Donna’s key achievements include the extensive review of land use planning for North and South Parramatta to identify ways to enhance, protect and promote the unique heritage qualities of these areas, securing full Council support for the redevelopment of Riverside Theatres, whilst identifying opportunities to further cement Parramatta as the premier arts and culture destination outside of the Sydney CBD. As Lord Mayor, Donna also secured Council support for the Aboriginal Flag to be flown permanently in the City of Parramatta, and for the principles of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
Donna has guided & supported the community on a number of grassroots campaigns including the West Epping Off-leash Dog Park, Roxy Theatre Action Group, Wistaria Gardens, Save Forest Park, Save Parramatta Pool, Save Willow Grove and has been closely involved with the North Parramatta Residents’ Action Group and Parramatta Female Factory Friends.
Donna has worked for both Federal and State Members of Parliament and has held positions in the former Department of Employment, Education and Training. Whilst raising a young family, Donna worked with her husband in their Sydney and Melbourne hearing clinics.
Donna has a BA (Hons), was previously involved in establishing funding for First Nations communities in Tasmania and has been a long time community volunteer and advocate.
Declan Clausen
Declan Clausen is the Deputy Lord Mayor of the City of Newcastle. Declan was first elected as a Labor Councillor in February 2015, and elected as Deputy Lord Mayor in September 2017.
As a member of the Newcastle Labor team, Declan’s key achievements include the construction of the 5MW Council-owned Summerhill Solar Farm and leading the City of Newcastle to become the first Council in NSW to use 100% renewable energy in its operations since January 2020.
Declan holds a Masters of Science from the University of Oxford (UK), a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Newcastle, is a graduate of the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative at Harvard University (Kennedy School of Government and Harvard Business School). He is a founding member of LEAN, its National Treasurer and a former NSW LEAN Convenor.
Khal Asfour
Khal was first elected as Councillor of the former Bankstown City Council in 2004 and held the role of Deputy Mayor from 2008-11. He served as Mayor from 2011-14 and again in 2015.
In 2017, he was elected as the inaugural Mayor of the City of Canterbury Bankstown; elected to the Board of Local Government NSW (LGNSW); and appointed Junior Vice President of the Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (SSROC).
