Flinders staff member, Flinders graduate and Mayor of Marion (in South Australia), Felicity-ann Lewis (DipT ’77 BEd ’81) is the new President of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA).

Local government has maintained that the only way to ensure that direct federal funding for community services and infrastructure is protected is to have local government recognised in the Australian Constitution.

As ALGA President, Felicity-ann Lewis will take the lead in negotiating ALGA’s case for constitutional change and working with all sides of politics to progress their proposal for constitutional recognition of local government.

The ALGA has presented the Government with a proposal to take forward the case for constitutional change of local government, which includes the establishment of a Parliamentary Committee; funding of a public education and awareness campaign; and suggestions for the specific wording of the amendment to the Constitution.

Felicity-ann has served as ALGA Vice President since 2010 and has been a member of the ALGA Board since 2009. She is the City of Marion’s first-ever female Mayor and the longest serving Mayor of more than ten years, and is immediate past President of the Local Government Association of South Australia.