LGNSW President Darcy Byrne speaks to media in Canberra about restoring fairer Federal Government funding to councils.
24 June 2026
Joint statement by:
- Local Government NSW President, Mayor Darcy Byrne
- Australian Services Union Secretary Emeline Gaske
- United Services Union NSW Secretary Graeme Kelly, OAM
Local government sector and unions take unprecedented stand to demand fairer funding
In an unprecedented move that took place in Canberra today, councils from every State and Territory united with unions representing the entire Local Government sector to warn the Federal Parliament of a looming financial crisis that threatens the very survival of councils.
At today’s National General Assembly of Local Government, a letter calling attention to the crisis was signed by all State and Territory Associations representing more than 500 councils from across Australia and will be sent to the Speaker of the Parliament as well as every MP and Senator.
DOWNLOAD THE LETTER
Union leaders representing the whole Australian local government workforce then joined with the Presidents of State and Territory local government associations to hold a joint media conference to demand fairer funding for the sector.
This joint call to increase Commonwealth Financial Assistance Grants to 1 per cent of federal taxation revenue comes as a growing number of regional councils, in particular, face severe financial pressures that threaten basic services.
"Today mayors from every corner of the continent are joining with unions representing the whole local government workforce to say this crisis in funding for councils must be addressed," Local Government NSW President Mayor Darcy Byrne said.
"We come from different backgrounds and political stripes, but we are all standing as one to demand that the Federal Parliament act to prevent councils going out the back door.
"In many regional communities, in particular, there is simply not enough funding for basic services to be maintained. That's why we have taken this unprecedented step to force the Parliament to act on this crisis.
“The time for talk is over. We all know what the reasonable and straightforward solution is – to restore fairer funding for councils so that basic services local communities depend on aren't lost."
Australian Services Union National Secretary Emeline Gaske has highlighted the impact the crisis will have on the local government workforce.
“Council workers keep Australian communities running every single day” Ms Gaske said.
“They collect our bins, run our libraries, maintain our roads and support communities through floods and fires. They do this work professionally and with commitment, but they need councils that are properly resourced to back them up.”
In NSW alone, there are more than 50,000 council workers serving their communities.
United Services Union General Secretary Graeme Kelly said the level of assistance from the Commonwealth had been declining steadily.
“The Federal Government has watched Financial Assistance Grants fall from 1 per cent of Commonwealth taxation revenue to barely half that over 30 years. That decline has real consequences for the workers and communities who depend on council services," Mr Kelly said.
"Restoring the 1% benchmark is the single most important thing Canberra can do for local government.”