"2010 Year of Women in Local Government" was officially launched today, supported by Senator Crossin and Acting Mayor of Katherine Chrissy Harris.
Date: 20 January 2010
Senator Trish Crossin and Acting Mayor of Katherine Chrissy Harris have joined together to support 2010 Year of Women in Local Government which was officially launched today.
2010 Year of Women in Local Government is an initiative that has been designed to improve the participation of women in local government leadership and management.
"Like all forms of Government, councils and shires need to reflect the communities they serve. However, only less than one third of councillors are women." said Senator Trish Crossin.
"That's why the Rudd Government has promised to provide nearly $500,000 for a range of policies to help improve the participating of women in local government."
Acting Mayor Chrissy Harris agrees, "Women are amongst the people that need to access local government facilities and services, such as playgroups, libraries and community centres. But women are under-represented in local councils in Australia."
"There is no lack of talented women in Australia, and I encourage women in Katherine and across the Territory to become involved in their local government," said Acting Mayor Harris.
The Australian Government have taken a number of practical steps to support this initiative including:
- $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 is available at http://lgwomen2010.org.au/
"2010 is a good year to start thinking about your role in Local Government," said Senator Crossin and Acting Mayor Harris.