Gender equality across Victoria’s 79 councils is to receive a boost with the launch of a new committee to implement the State’s Australian-first Gender Equality Act 2020 across Local Government.
Minister for Local Government, Shaun Leane announced the formation of the Gender Equality Advisory Committee, to be co-chaired by Members of Parliament Juliana Addison and Kat Theophanous.
“The Committee will draw on the experience of women from across the sector to ensure that the local government sector can harness the benefits of equality for all Victorians,” Mr Leane said.
“Expressions of Interest are now open to fill 10 places on the Committee,” he said.
Mr Leane said Mayors, Councillors, senior staff and sector leaders would be encouraged to nominate suitable candidates.
“The committee will advise the Minister for Local Government and the Minister for Women, Gabrielle Williams on how to deliver the Labor Government’s target of 50 per cent female Mayors and Councillors by 2025,” the Minister said.
“[The Committee’s] work will complement that of the Public Sector Gender Equality Commissioner Dr Niki Vincent, who was appointed last September,” he said.
Mr Leane said the Committee would also include representatives from the Australian Local Government Women’s Association, the Australian Services Union, the Municipal Association of Victoria, the Victorian Local Governance Association, Local Government Professionals and Reconciliation Victoria.
