MEDIA RELEASE
17 September 2008
National push for women into senior management
positions
The Australian local government sector has designated 2010 as the Year of Women in Local
Government to celebrate and promote the advancement of women into senior management
positions.
The announcement follows a national forum of local, state and commonwealth governments,
local government associations and peak professional bodies that was held recently in Canberra.
Convened by Local Government Managers Australia (LGMA) the forum was officially opened by
the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for the Status of Women.
LGMA National President and Chief Executive Officer of the City of Unley (SA), Ray Pincombe
said the Year of Women in Local Government is a powerful and proven method of raising
awareness and educating the local government sector on the value and capacity of women as
senior managers.
“The topic of women in local government has been around for a long time,” Mr Pincombe said.
“All levels of government are acutely aware of the barriers facing women in management, yet
nationally only a handful of councils are addressing the issue.
“Currently women in senior management roles represent only 20% of local government
employees, and only 5% of chief executives or general managers are women.
“Unless we embrace gender diversity and adopt more transparent and flexible work practices in
attracting and retaining our female employees, then the local government sector will not have
the depth of talent to survive.”
“We (LGMA) hope to encourage all local government stakeholders to join us in conducting
complementary activities that will help to celebrate the Year of Women in Local Government in
2010.”
Nati
The Year of Women in Local Government will comprise activities and initiatives that address five
key themes: removing structural barriers to women’s advancement; improving the image of
local government; preparing women to lead; affirming women’s rights to be ‘at the table’; and
implementing evaluation methods that measure meaningful progress.
Activities that will make up the year-long celebration include reverse mentoring, professional
development programs, women’s and men’s only forums, showcasing best practice and other
activities that acknowledge and celebrate the contribution of women in the local government
sector.
A working party of representatives from local, state and commonwealth governments, local
government associations and peak professional bodies has been formed to define the way
forward.
Ends
For more information contact Helen Diggerson on + 61 3 9682 9222 / 0414 376 924.
NEWS 
