The Victorian Minister for Local Government, Jeanette Powell, has opened the 2012 Australian Local Government Women’s Association with a call for more action to address the gender imbalance in local government.

 

"Women outnumber men in Victoria and outnumber men as staff in local government, yet when it comes to leadership positions in local government women are in the minority," said Mrs Powell.

 

Less than 30 percent of Victorian councillors are women. In the last local government elections, over a quarter of voter wards and un-subdivided municipalities had no women candidates. Today only 14 of 79 councils have female CEOs.

 

"The Victorian Coalition Government is taking direct action to expand the pool of intelligent and articulate women candidates," Mrs Powell said.

 

"Think Women" forums have been held across the state over the past six months to encourage women to participate and there are more planned.

 

"It's through this kind of targeted support and encouragement for women considering candidacy that the imbalance of women at the local government level can really be tackled.