GENDER EQUITY, LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (15:06): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for State/Local Government Relations a question on the South Australian local government sector's participation in 50:50 Vision—Councils for Gender Equity.

Leave granted.

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: I understand '50:50 Vision—Councils for Gender Equity is a 10-year federally funded program designed to build on the successes of the 2010 Year of Women in Local Government. Can the minister provide the chamber with an update on how this program is being rolled out across South Australia?

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (15:06): I would like to thank the honourable member for this important question, and I recognise that the honourable member has always had a great interest in gender equality. As members would be aware, gender equity is recognised as a governance issue in both public and private sector organisations around the world, and I am pleased to be able to say that local government in Australia is leading the way with this innovative gender equality program.

Women are still under-represented in many areas of local government, accounting for only 30 per cent of councillors, only 20 per cent of senior management positions and only 5 per cent of chief executive positions. I am sure members would agree that councils that reflect the diversity of our society are best placed to represent our communities.

Furthermore, in a competitive employment market, councils that have addressed gender equity issues in their recruitment and employment processes are best placed to attract top quality candidates. The 50:50 Vision program is an outcome of the Local Government and Planning Ministers' Council, Women in Local Government Strategy 2009-12, which looked at addressing gender equity issues and setting aspirational goals to be achieved by 2020. These goals include:

40 per cent female councillors;

35 per cent female mayors; and

30 per cent senior managers.

A major objective of the program is the promotion of long-term cultural change on gender equity issues and to be incorporated as part of a council's workforce strategy.

The program itself is a three-stage award and accreditation program designed to be accessible to all councils, regardless of location and size. The program is based on an information sharing and capacity building model, allowing councils to share their experiences and seek guidance and information.

I am pleased to advise the chamber that 100 councils from across the country have already signed up for the program, ranging from capital city councils to small remote councils. South Australia currently has 10 councils enrolled in the 50:50 Vision program, and I have recently written to all South Australian councils and encouraged their participation in the program.

Councils can apply for accreditation at three levels, starting with bronze and working up to the prestigious peer-reviewed gold award. I am very pleased to advise the chamber that Unley council will become the first Australian council to win the silver award in the 50:50 Vision—Councils for Gender Equity program, at a gala dinner which will be held this Friday, 30 September, in Adelaide to celebrate the 60^th anniversary of the Australian Local Government Women's Association.

The silver award is central to the 50:50 Vision—Councils for Gender Equity program, and is the award with most opportunity to generate real change within councils. Silver accreditation involves self-assessment on progress in one or more of the four categories of achievement:

Leadership;

Nomination and recruitment;

Remuneration, recognition and training; and

Work and family balance

Councils need to achieve accreditation in three of the four categories of achievement to qualify for the silver award. In applying for the award they only achieve accreditation in the areas of commitment and leadership, nomination and recruitment, and work and family balance. I take this opportunity to congratulate the City of Unley on its incredible success. I also pay tribute to my colleague, a former minister for state/local government relations and the current Minister for the Status of Women, for her ongoing contribution in promoting gender equality in local government.

It is my hope that all South Australian councils sign up for the program. I take this opportunity to have it placed on the record that, for any council interested in signing up for more information, please visit www.5050vision.com.au.