Launch of Year of Women in Local Government

Minister for Local Government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
The Honourable Desley Boyle
09/02/2010

Launch of Year of Women in Local Government

Local Government Minister Desley Boyle will today launch the Year of Women in Local Government at Parliament House.

Ms Boyle said the launch is about promoting the advancement of women into the senior ranks of councils across Queensland.

"The Bligh Government is building strong, strategic councils, however, work needs to be done to boost the participation of women in managerial positions in local government," Ms Boyle said.

"A recent survey found that women make up more than 60% of council employees across Queensland, but currently only six of Queensland's 73 council CEOs are female.

"I want to see more women filling executive roles in councils across Queensland.

"I encourage women to apply for executive jobs and undertake training to get themselves in a position where they can get those senior management roles.

"I also call on men, who still overwhelmingly fill senior management positions at councils, to give women the opportun ities to advance their careers in local government, to look for women to mentor and to ensure that women who step forward are given a fair go.

"I strongly believe that we should not just be talking to women, but to the whole local government sphere when advocating the role of women in local government.

"Women are doing better on the elected member side of councils making up 33 per cent of all elected councillors across Queensland," she said.

Member for Mount Isa Betty Kiernan, chair of the Women in Local Government Strategy Group said they are exploring ways of ensuring more opportunities for women to get involved in local government.

"The Women in Local Government Strategy Group is looking at the obstacles preventing women from progressing to senior management roles and working to increase the number of women councillors," Ms Kiernan said.

"With the Baby Boomers starting to retire, there is a real opportunity to get a new generation o f women in the upper levels of local government."

The Department of Infrastructure and Planning is planning a range of events in 2010 including transitioning workshops, regional forums and business breakfasts. There will also be events on key themes such as career structuring, leadership and mentoring.

Activities will be coordinated with partners such as Local Government Managers' Australia, the Office for Women, the Australia Local Government Women's Association and the Local Government Association of Queensland.

The national steering committee for the Year of Women in Local Government has announced 21 ambassadors as champions and role models.

Queensland's ambassadors are Sharon Solyma from Gold Coast City Council, Councillor Joyce Crombie from Diamantina Shire Council and Michelle McFadyen from Longreach Regional Council.

Permanent Link: Launch of Year of Women in Local Government
Publish Date: 09 Feb 10