22/4/04
A new strategy aims to attract more women into management and decision-making positions in local government.
Local Government Minister Tom Stephens today launched 'Strategies for achieving greater participation by women in the Western Australian local government sector', a document developed by the Advisory Committee on Women in Local Government.
"The Government encourages all women to consider the wide range of career opportunities available in the local government sector," Mr Stephens said.
"We are particularly keen to attract women with management experience and qualifications to make local government their career choice."
The Minister said the five strategies identified in the document covered the following areas:
- promoting career paths in local government;
- providing education, training and development opportunities;
- promoting the local government sector;
- promoting HR policies, practices and services which recognise that employees have family and other social responsibilities; and
- achieving sector and organisational change.
He said each strategy identified specific actions and the timelines by which they would be implemented.
The advisory committee was currently giving priority to three initiatives:
- establishing a mentoring program for women in local government management and decision making positions and for those aspiring to such positions;
- finding ways to improve selection processes, including having more women apply for positions in local government; and
- promoting local government careers in schools and tertiary institutions.
"The projects proposed by the advisory committee have already attracted considerable interest from women employed in local government," Mr Stephens said.
"I am delighted, too, that senior men and women from local government and the universities have agreed to take on the role of 'ambassadors' for the strategies.
"This will enable establishment of the mentoring program for women across the sector by June."
Mr Stephens thanked the members of the advisory committee on women in local government for their work.
He also announced the appointment of Cr Paddi Creevey from the City of Mandurah as the advisory committee's new chairperson.
The strategy document is available on the Department of Local Government and Regional Development's website
http://www.dlgrd.wa.gov.au.
Minister's Office - 9213 6500
MEMBERSHIP OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE Members of the Advisory Committee are:
Chair: Cr Paddi Creevey, City of Mandurah
Cr Marion Blair, President ALGWA WA, City of Belmont
Ms Adelle Cochrane, Director of Community Services, City of Gosnells
Ms Danielle Cochrane, Manager Recreation and Community Relations, Shire of East Pilbara
Mr Frank Edwards, Chief Executive Officer, City of Perth
Ms Jane Fetherstonhaugh, Manager Administration and Financial Services, Shire of Wongan-Ballidu
Mr Cliff Frewing, President, Local Government Managers Australia (WA Division)
Ms Cheryl Gwilliam, Director General, Department of Local Government and Regional Development
Ms Natalie Katona, Planner, Shire of Broome
Ms Anne McAllister, Director of Community Services, City of Nedlands
Mrs Steve Smith, Consultant
Ms Noela Taylor, Director, Office of Equal Employment Opportunity
Ms Joanne Trezona, Chief Executive Officer, Shire of Tambellup
Dr Elizabeth Walker, Post Doctoral Research Fellow, School of Management, Edith Cowan University
Mr John Watson, Executive Director, Local Government Managers Australia (WA Division)
Cr Del Mills, Past President and Councillor, Shire of Carnarvon, was a member and Chairperson of the Advisory Committee to January 2004.
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