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Media Release: Federal ministers to launch 2010 as Year of Women in Local Government

The Hon. Anthony Albanese MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, and the Hon. Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for the Status of Women will jointly launch 2010 as the
Year of Women in Local Government to recognise, celebrate and promote the advancement of women into senior management and leadership roles.

The launch, which will take place at 9.00am on Wednesday, 20 January on the steps of the Sydney Town Hall, is a result of extensive collaboration between local, state and commonwealth governments, local government associations and peak professional bodies.

“There has been no shortage of activity designed to promote the participation of women in executive and leadership roles in local government,” National Steering Committee Chair for the Year of Women in Local Government, Ray Pincombe said today.  “Yet, the latest reviews have revealed that even against the backdrop of that activity, there has been little improvement in the number of women in leadership positions.

“Women still account for less than 30% of councillors, 20% of senior managers and only 5% of CEOs.

“With more and more baby boomer executives set to retire over the next decade, the participation of women in local government will become increasingly critical. Without women, the local government sector simply does not have the depth of talent to survive.”

The Year of Women in Local Government aims to raise awareness of the significant role women play in the effectiveness of local government.  By emphasising the business case for workplace equity and diversity, the Year of Women aims to foster systemic and cultural change that supports women and builds their capacity to thrive.  Mr Pincombe also says that the Year of Women is a platform for raising awareness of the need to increase women’s participation into executive and elected leadership roles.  

“The Year of Women will provide councils with a clear focus to build a business case for women in leadership roles, establish voluntary targets and implement strategies to increase the participation of women in our sector.”

The launch will also see the unveiling of a dedicated website lgwomen2010.org.au. The website, which was designed and sponsored by on-line community engagement specialists, Bang the Table will feature news,
calendar of events and activities and profiles of women in local government. An interactive forum and blog has also been established to enable the local government workforce to engage and discuss the latest issues and opportunities surrounding women’s participation in executive and elected leadership roles.  

The launch will be attended by a number of federal, state and local government dignitaries, Year of Women in Local Government ambassadors, program partners and stakeholders and local government CEOs, general managers and employees.

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For more information contact John Ravlic + 61 3 9682 9222 / 0411 744 654
Helen Diggerson on 0414 376 924