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STRONGER TOGETHER: RESILIENT. PRODUCTIVE. UNITED.

Motions for Debate

The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) is pleased to convene the 32nd National General Assembly of Local Government (NGA), to be held in Canberra, 23 - 25 June 2026.

As convenor of the NGA, the ALGA Board cordially invites all councils to send representatives to this important national event.

The NGA is the premier national gathering of local governments, and provides councils with the opportunity to come together, share ideas, debate motions, and most importantly unite and further build on the relationship between local government and the Australian Government.

A discussion paper providing further information, and outlining the criteria that motions must meet, can be downloaded below.

Motions are due by Friday 27 February 2026 and must be lodged online on the link below.

We look forward to welcoming you to Canberra in June.

Discussion Paper

Download the full discussion paper for all the information you require to submit a motion.

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Submit Motions

Motions must be submitted by Friday 27 February 2026.

You can use the motion portal to submit your motion.

Submit Motion

FAQ

We understand that you may have some questions about submitting motions, please see the FAQ section here

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to email alga@alga.asn.au and we will be happy to answer them.

Who can submit a motion?

Any council that is a financial member of their state or territory local government association can submit a motion.

We will not accept motions submitted on behalf of external third parties that may seek to use the NGA to apply pressure to Board members or gain national political exposure for positions that are not directly relevant to the work of, or in the national interests of, local government.

How can I make sure I don't submit a motion that was already debated in the last two years?

See 2024 Resolutions and 2025 Resolutions for reference

What are the 2026 categories for debate?

The theme for this year’s NGA, Stronger Together: Resilient. Productive. United, underscores the pivotal role councils play in shaping the nation’s future and delivering national priorities.

As the backbone of local communities, councils are uniquely positioned to implement place-based solutions that address both local needs and national priorities. This year’s NGA encourages debate on how councils can enhance their resilience, contribute meaningfully to the nation’s productivity agenda, and present a cohesive voice to the federal government on critical issues.

By fostering collaboration and innovation, local governments can lead the way in creating sustainable and thriving communities.

The 2026 NGA provides you - the elected representatives of Australia’s local councils and communities - with the opportunity to engage with the Federal Government and key Ministers, ensuring that the voices of local communities are heard at the national level.

In this context, this year’s call for motion focusses on ten priority areas:

  • Financial sustainability
  • Emergency management
  • Housing and planning
  • Roads and infrastructure
  • Closing the Gap
  • Jobs and skills
  • Environment
  • Cyber security
  • Climate change
  • Intergovernmental relations
What is the criteria for motions?

To be eligible for inclusion in the NGA Business Papers, and debate it on the floor of the NGA, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Submit a new motion that has not been debated at an NGA in the preceding two years as found in previous business papers on the ALGA website.
  • Ensure your motion is relevant to the work of local government across the nation, not focused on a specific location or region, unless the project has national implications.
  • Align your motion with the policy objectives of your state and territory local government association.
  • Propose a clear action and outcome on a single issue, calling on the Australian Government to take action. Motions covering more than one issue will not be accepted.
  • Ensure the motion does not seek to advantage one or a few councils at the expense of others.
  • Avoid being prescriptive in directing how the matter should be pursued.
Who will speak to the motion at the NGA?

We expect any council that submits a motion to be present at the National General Assembly to move and speak to the motion. The decision on the speaker is at the discretion of the council.