VIC Premier
Respect, integrity and trust across local councils will be strengthened through a wide-ranging review of cultural issues backed by the Andrews Labor Government.
Speaking at the Australian Local Government Women’s Association Victoria Branch annual conference, Minister for Local Government Shaun Leane today announced Local Government Victoria would commission a review and discussion paper to start a conversation about behaviour and culture on councils.
The discussion paper will look into the history of the culture in local government and ways to promote a more positive and inclusive work environment, ensure fairer and more equal representation of community views, and build public trust.
Prospective councillor information sessions continue ahead of September election miragenews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from miragenews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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Female councillors face a barrage of gendered abuse and harassment from their council colleagues, politicians and the public, including bullying, verbal abuse and intimidation.
They say the toxic workplace culture inside the federal and NSW parliaments is replicated at a local level and is a disincentive for women to enter local government.
Georges River councillor Sandy Grekas has suffered gender abuse and harassment.
Credit:Louise Kennerley
With council elections due in September, independent Georges River councillor Sandy Grekas said the verbal abuse and online harassment she has suffered will continue âand probably get worseâ.
âWhen other women see the rubbish that Iâve gone through, it completely puts them off from running for council,â she said.
Sydney councillors say gender abuse, harassment rife in local councils smh.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from smh.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Former Tweed Shire mayor Cr Katie Milne and current Tweed mayor, Cr Chris Cherry. Photo supplied.
Women in Tweed Shire with an interest in running for council are invited to attend a free forum to be hosted later this month by the Australian Local Government Women’s Association of NSW.
ALGWA NSW is a non-party political national organisation committed to increasing the number of women as elected representatives for their communities, and highlighting the crucial role of women in local government.
The organisation hopes to encourage more women than ever to run for council around the state in September’s elections.