Supporting More Women Into Local Government

7th Mar 2019

The Andrews Labor Government is supporting local government as it works towards the goal of gender equality.

Minister for Local Government Adem Somyurek today announced $50,000 to support the Victorian Local Governance Association’s (VLGA) Local Women Leading Change campaign, and that the Minister for Women Gabrielle Williams will chair the Local Government Ministerial Women’s Roundtable.

Local Women Leading Change will support potential female candidates, including those from Aboriginal and culturally diverse backgrounds, in the lead up to the 2020 local government elections.

This campaign supports the Labor Government’s commitment to achieve gender equality consistent with the Victorian Gender Equality strategy, Safe and Strong – which has a founding reform of 50 per cent women councillors and mayors by 2025.

In addition, funding of $5,000 will be provided for the HART Awards, which recognise initiatives by local governments and community organisations that are advancing reconciliation in Victoria. Reconciliation Victoria and the VLGA work in partnership to present these awards.

This builds on reforms undertaken over the past four years including the release of the Best Practice Guide for Gender Equity in Local Government to help local governments take practical steps to boost gender diversity in their councils and workforces.

The Local Government Ministerial Women’s Roundtable also had its first meeting today with new Chair, Minister Williams. The roundtable was established in 2016 to drive an increase in women in leadership roles and coordinate the local government gender equity program.

More than $150,000 has also been delivered through Local Government Victoria’s Listen, Learn and Lead Program, which is helping councils implement strategies to improve outcomes for women in leadership positions.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Local Government Adem Somyurek

“We’re working with Councils to drive gender equality in local government.”

"We want more women to run for local government and be successful in the 2020 elections to ensure we take another positive step towards the target of gender equality by 2025.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Women Gabrielle Williams

“Greater representation of women across our councils will only make them stronger, so I encourage women considering running for local government or applying for senior positions to take the leap.”