President’s comment
Last month Victoria became the first State Government to set gender targets for elected councillors and mayors.
The State Government also promised support for councils to trial and evaluate gender auditing within councils.
The announcements were part of the Victorian Gender Equality Strategy launched by the Victorian Minister for Women the Hon Fiona Richardson. Along with a target of 50 per cent of women councillors and Mayors by 2025, there was also a target of 50 per cent new public board appointments being women.
The announcement followed council elections in Victoria, which saw a 14 per cent increase in the number of women elected and Victoria leads the country with the highest percentage of women councillors.
Of the 637 councillors elected, 243 or 38.1 per cent are women. And in the recent mayoral elections a record 32 women – 40 per cent – were elected.
Every Victorian council has an elected woman and 16 of the 79 councils have 50 per cent or more women councillors.
Last year there were also elections in Queensland and partial elections in New South Wales. There was also an increase in women elected in Queensland, with 32.5 per cent of councillors being women up from 29 per cent. Now, nationally 32.2 per cent of councillors are women. The lowest percentage is NSW with 27 per cent.
It has been pleasing to see the number of women elected to Council increase. In recent years the Northern Territory has led the country in the percentage of women elected – maybe it will be the first to break 40 per cent when Councils go to election this year?
The ALGWA has been working with the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), considering opportunities for a gender equality program in partnership with other organisations, with the possibility of funding from the Australian Office of Women and has agreed to work to develop options for a program.
The two organisations have also agreed to other connections including an annual presentation, input on relevant issues and website links.
The annual ALGWA networking breakfast will be held on 19 June and details will be in the ALGA program.
I would encourage councillors and officers to attend Be the Balance – the bi-annual ALGWA conference in Launceston, Tasmania 11-13 April 2017.
Speakers include Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins and media personality Helene Chung.
Details of the conference are on the ALGWA website: www.algwaconf17.org.au and early bird prices are available.
I look forward to seeing you in beautiful Tasmania in April and chilly Canberra in June!
