The Victorian Minister for Local Government has acknowledged the crucial role played by women in local government in a luncheon at Parliament House.

 

Minister for Women’s Affairs, Mary Wooldridge, joined Minister Jeanette Powell in thanking the members of the Australian Local Government Women’s Association

 

“I’m pleased that when nominations for the 2012 election closed a fortnight ago, 656 women had nominated for election to council, representing a third of the 2,003 nominations for the 631 vacancies,” Mrs Powell said.

 

“In 2012 there is a woman standing for election to all 78 councils going to election – an increase of 39 women from the 2008 election – and almost 80 per cent of wards have at least one woman nominated.

 

“The increase in the number of women candidates comes after a vigorous campaign by the Victorian Coalition Government and the local government sector to attract more women candidates to council elections.

 

“For their effort on behalf of their community, I thank the women who will be stepping down from their role on councils at these elections and wish them well in their future endeavours.”

 

Mrs Powell said having more women employed in leadership roles within the sector would result in better outcomes for all Victorians.

 

“Having more women in leadership roles results in more inclusive cultures and better decisions – after all, women make up more than half of Victoria’s population,” Mrs Powell said.