Reports in today’s Australian of the imminent shutting of the Urban Policy Forum mark another sad chapter in the Abbott Government’s dereliction of Australia’s cities.
Established under the previous Labor Government, the Urban Policy Forum provided the Federal Government with access to experts from across all levels of government as well as industry and academia.
However since being elected, the Abbott Government has been in denial about the importance of our cities to Australia’s future prosperity and liveability.
This is despite Australia being one of the most urbanised places in the world and our cities being responsible for generating 80% of Australia’s GDP.
Labor has seized the initiative and convened the National Urban Policy Dialogue to hear firsthand from experts about the challenges facing our cities, and to contribute to the urban debate.
Furthermore, Labor’s Cities Committee continues to meet with commercial, community and academic stakeholders.
This consultation process will inform Labor’s policy position in the lead-up to the next Federal election.