More than 400 local government representatives have gathered at Parliament House today for the third meeting of the Australian Council of Local Government (ACLG).

The ACLG, first held in November 2008, is the nation’s largest gathering of mayors and shire presidents at Parliament House. This year’s proceedings follow a new format, with local government representatives being given unprecedented access to federal ministers and parliamentary secretaries.

An open cabinet forum will be held, followed by one-on-one and panel meetings.

The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) will also present outcomes of the national general assembly, which concluded on Thursday.

Minster for Local Government, Anthony Albanese, said the ACLG meeting is a continuation of the Federal Government’s “ongoing dialogue” with councils and shires.

There will be full coverage of the ACLG meeting in next week's e-newsletter.