Launch of Year of Women in Local Government
By The Hon Tanya Plibersek and The Hon Anthony Albanese
Jan 20, 2010
The Rudd Labor Government has thrown its support behind the 2010 Year
of Women in Local Government, an initiative to improve the
participation of women in local government leadership and management.
Minister Anthony Albanese, Minister for Infrastructure and Local Government, launched this initiative in Sydney today.
"This year, the Rudd Government will be providing nearly $500,000 for a
range of practical projects to help improve the participation of women
in local government," he said.
It is critical that councils and shires, as the level of government
closest to the community, reflect the communities that they seek to
represent.
"Local governments make an important contribution to the nation,
delivering vital infrastructure and services, such as local roads,
community facilities, environmental and waste services, child care and
health and welfare services.
"However, less than a third of councillors are women; 20 per cent of
senior managers are women; and only seven per cent of Chief Executive
Officers are women," Mr Albanese said.
Minister for the Status of Women, Tanya Plibersek, said she was very
proud to be serving in a Government which boasts more women in senior
parliamentary positions than any other Australian Government, including
the first female Deputy Prime Minister.
"There is no lack of talented women in Australia, and many get their
political start in local government. The Australian Government is keen
to support more women in these roles.
"Councils are big employers in local communities. Organisations that
employ women and people from diverse backgrounds better represent and
understand their community leading to better results.
The Rudd Government have taken a number of practical steps to help
increase the engagement of women in local government," Ms Plibersek said
The Government's commitment includes:- $250,000 for a
three-year 50:50 Vision: Councils for Gender Equity program which will
audit councils and shires to determine the status and role of women in
leadership roles as well as their participation in the workplace.
- $100,000
in scholarship funding to enable senior women in local government to
participate in the new Executive Leadership Program being developed by
the Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government and the
Australia and New Zealand School of Government;
- $100,000 to improve the collection of data and reporting on the status of women in the local government sector; and
- $40,000
to the Local Government Managers Australia for their 2010 Management
Challenge, which will involve around 130 councils identifying
strategies to promote gender equity in their councils.
Further information on 2010 Year of Women in Local Government (www.lgwomen2010.org.au )
Contact:
USU Support Team
1300 136 604
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