In 1951 a group of women in Canberra decided to form an association to support each other through the many issues involved in serving on council and working in Local Government. Fifty years on, that passion and determination has continued and the national capital, where that first historic meeting was held, was also the venue for the 2001 Australian Local Government Women’s Association (ALGWA) Conference.
The 2001 annual Conference and dinner was an opportunity for ALGWA members from across Australia to share achievements and challenges. The Conference was also an ideal forum to detail plans for a Framework paper currently being circulated, calling on every council in Australia to contribute to increase the participation of women in elected member and senior management positions in Australian Local Government.
Ms Anne Dunn, project manager of the National Framework for Women in Local Government has been impressed with the level of interest shown and the comments, perceptions and proposals articulated.
“In this complex issue comments were useful and constructive. What emerged was a Framework that was not a requirement, but rather a locally appropriate plan for each council, State body and stakeholder to improve the numbers of women in Local Government so that councils more clearly represent and reflect the community they serve,” Ms Dunn said.
The Federal Government sponsored a Round Table of Women in Local Government organised in March this year where the Framework was developed and as part of a demonstrated assistance for elected representatives supported the ALGWA’s 50th Anniversary Conference and dinner. The Framework has been developed following national consultation and partners include the Australian Local Government Women’s Association, the Local Government Manager’s Association, the National Office of Local Government and the Commonwealth Office of the Status of Women.
Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Local Government Association Mr Ian Chalmers, explained the case for support for the Framework by Australia’s peak Local Government bodies, “ALGA is concerned about the under representation of women in councils and as senior executives within Local Government. We think it is in the common interest that the situation is corrected by encouraging women and young people to actively explore opportunities in Local Government.”
Mr Chalmers said ALGA was committed to the process, “Where there are barriers to participation, ALGA is interested in removing them or charting a pathway around them.”
State Presidents of ALGWA have been involved in the Framework since its inception at a Roundtable of Women in Local Government in March this year. Victorian State President, Di Daffy described the impact of the Roundtable, “It is my carefully considered belief that there is not enough interaction between staff and elected representatives for a number of reasons.
“I was inspired by the commitment from both council staff and elected members to work towards a practical solution to address women’s future for the next fifty years in Local Government. I believe that when a rich interaction and sense of teamwork is generated, and a free flow of information occurs at all councils the first level of Government will be strong, committed and fully efficient.”
Despite a long history of achievement, women still make up less than 30 percent of all Local Government elected members, 15 percent of mayors and less than 10 percent of senior executives . This has led to not a little soul searching amongst women interested in what their future holds.
Ms Dunn said the Framework is due to be presented at the Australian Local Government Association’s National General Assembly in Canberra from 25-28 November, 2001.
For further information, contact Trudy McInnis, on (02) 6274 7865, or email trudy.mcinnis@dotrs.gov.au.
