Not everyone would know what the acronym COAG means, but the Council of Australian Governments plays a vital role in the country's political system.
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COAG was established in 1992, and its role was to manage matters of national significance and collaborate efforts between all levels of government.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, however, Prime Minister Scott Morrison convened what he dubbed National Cabinet - to relay up-to-date information as the pandemic unfolded to the states and territories.
National Cabinet has been meeting fortnightly during the pandemic, COAG, by comparison, traditionally met twice a year.
On Friday, Mr Morrison announced the abolishment of COAG, with National Cabinet to permanently take its place.
While on the surface, it may seem a streamlining of sorts, there is one critical condition that needs consideration. Collaboration between states and territories and the federal government is not always seamless, but there was one constant at the COAG table that provided a vital regional voice - the president of the Australian Local Government Association.
Local government is often an overlooked part of the political system, relegated to things like "rates, roads and rubbish" but they play an integral role in how communities operate. They are the grassroots, boots-on-the-ground voice that cuts through the spin of state and federal politics to provide a perspective on what will and will not benefit communities. National Cabinet has been a sounding board for the PM to deliver the most up-to-date advice on restrictions through the pandemic and, even with some exceptions, the information has provided a base sounding board for states to set the agenda. If the National Cabinet is the death knell of COAG, the Prime Minister needs to give a guarantee that the local voice of local government won't be lost among the significant issues. Dealing with a pandemic is a tricky situation. Still, as restrictions begin to ease and the economy begins to wake from its hibernation, local government will be needed more than ever to be your voice among the leaders.