Mr GREG WARREN (Campbelltown) (18:22): I am delighted to contribute to debate on the Local Government (Rural and Remote Councils) Bill 2024. This is not a matter we choose to solve; we must solve it. I acknowledge the shadow Minister, the member for Goulburn, and her work, particularly around Central Darling. I remember all too well visiting that community when I was the shadow Minister for Local Government. I recall that, at that time, the rate base there was around 12 per cent or 13 per cent. That is a very low rate base to fund a council to provide for its local community. When we talk about local government and local councils, many people think about the three Rs—roads, rates and rubbish. In reality, councils provide so many other services, like disability support, libraries, footpath repair and senior support. Councils do so much. As the closest level of government to the community, it is important that we provide councils with the support they need and deserve to give communities what they need and deserve.

The reality is that the bill is before the House because there are ongoing challenges in remote areas of New South Wales. I was born and raised in Dubbo. It is not a remote community and it has a well‑functioning council. But one does not have to drift too far west of Dubbo to see the challenges that councils face. The bill amends the Local Government Act 1993 to set out provisions for a new model of governance in rural and remote councils. Why is this so important, we may ask? It is because there are 128 councils in New South Wales and each and every one of them has unique challenges. A metropolitan council in Sydney—even in your electorate, Mr Temporary Speaker Greenwich—has a rate base of almost 100 per cent. That is because of the geographical area and the number of ratepayers who live within it. The good people of Sydney enjoy good governance and support from their council.

But in geographically enormous rural and remote areas in Central West and Far West New South Wales councils with a small rate base must receive funding and support to upgrade resources and facilities and provide services. A larger area absorbs a lot of costs and highlights financial challenges, which has led to the introduction of the bill. I commend the Minister for Local Government for taking a proactive and engaging approach to the bill. He has done a great job. He was motivated to work on the bill because he wants to help the Central Darling community. He has been there and seen firsthand the importance of providing them with everything they need. I reflect on my time there a few years ago. The community is confronted with enormous hardship and the council has been in administration for quite some time. We cannot let that community down, whether it is Menindee or another area.

The new model will operate like a typical local council, featuring a mix of democratically elected councillors and government-appointed councillors, with relevant experience in areas such as financial management, governance or local government administration. It is important to note that we need those people on the council because they are community people. We all agree that our local councils need to be about community. The best way to achieve that is by making sure community members are on the council and have the capacity to advocate for the needs, dreams and aspirations of the community. I note that the Opposition intends to move amendments to the bill. I am advised that the amendments are sensible and we will support them.

In my contribution to the public interest debate I highlighted the importance of working together to get the best outcome because the best outcomes are achieved when we work together. Premier Chris Minns has made that comment many times. When we can work together for the best outcome for the community, that is exactly what we achieve. The Parliament exists not for people who voted Labor, Liberal, National or Green or for any other party but to represent the needs of the people we are privileged to serve. That goes to the core of this legislation. The Minister for Local Government will appoint councillors who bring a mix of skills or diversity to the council—for example, to represent the interests of the local Aboriginal population, whose interests are unique and important. It is particularly important in the Far West and even the Central West, up to the north of New South Wales. I note that the member for Ballina is in the Chamber. I also acknowledge that the member for Barwon is in the Chamber, who is a great representative for Far West and central New South Wales. I think his electorate is bigger than some European countries—Switzerland, as I understand.

Mr Roy Butler: Germany.

Mr GREG WARREN: Bigger than Germany—there we go. He is a hardworking, engaged member, and he would welcome the changes in the legislation before the House because it will benefit his community. Every community needs to have a voice. Going back to Central Darling council, I previously mentioned its extraordinarily low rate base. Members are aware that councils rely on funding and revenue from both Federal and State government grants, as well as rate revenue. Outside of that, they do not have a lot of capacity to raise more money. If councils do not have money, two things happen: They cut services or go into debt. Among the many triggers for councils going into administration is misappropriation and, most importantly, gross mismanagement of finances.

A lot of the times it is not always the council's fault. As elected officials, we are responsible to make sure we make sensible decisions that do not have financial impacts on the people that we are privileged to serve. But that is certainly a circumstance which exists in so many rural and regional councils around New South Wales, such as out in the Far West. That is no better displayed than in Central Darling. Its administrators work hard. They are doing the best they can because they want to see that community get what it needs and deserves. We must make sure that better provision is in place. Councils cannot go to election for the reasons that the Minister outlined in the second reading speech. The Government has steps in place to make sure councils in regional and rural New South Wales, particularly Central Darling, get support from this Parliament and from this Government, and it is taking those steps.

I am not one to play political games around local government, but I note that the previous Government was limited in its support of councils. I commend the Minister for bringing the bill to the House. It has been a long time coming. Even my learned friends on the Opposition benches would acknowledge that this should have come a long time ago for those who have been suffering for some time. We have seen how grants for regional and rural communities get granted to councils like Hornsby. It is simply unacceptable. That practice has stopped with the change in government. This piece of legislation now before the House will ensure a more equitable and fairer approach for rural and regional councils. I thank the House.