LOCAL GOVERNMENT MANAGERS AUSTRALIA GALA AWARDS

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS (14:50): Can the Minister for State/Local Government Relations provide information to the chamber on the Local Government Managers Australia, SA Branch Gala Awards night held last month?

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (14:50): I would like to thank the member for this very important question. Recently I had the honour of attending the Local Government Managers Australia, SA Branch Gala Awards night. Every year, Local Government Managers Australia, known as the LGMA, formally recognises the outstanding work in the local government sector over the preceding 12 months.

This year there were 12 award categories ranging from recognising excellence in financial management to leadership in community services. Looking over the awards, one thing was very clear: the sheer range of services and activities that councils provide for South Australians. That is why it is so important that, every year, the LGMA presents awards to councils and employees who make an outstanding contribution to the day-to-day business of their councils—awards for great service and for great governance. I was honoured to be asked to present three awards: the Partnerships for Growth Award, the LGMA Challenge Champions Award, and the Excellence in Advancing the Status of Women in Local Government Award.

I think it is especially important to have an award that recognises excellence in advancing the status of women. Having women well represented in local government, both as elected members and as staff, is important to everyone in our community, not just women. It is not just a matter of assisting women to progress but of making sure our councils really represent our communities and that they make the most of the skills of all of our community members.

I am pleased to inform the chamber that the state government, through the Office for State/Local Government Relations, provides $12,000 (or $6,000 each) to the Management Challenge and the Partnerships for Growth Awards. Furthermore, the Excellence in Advancing the Status of Women in Local Government Award is partly funded by the Office for State/Local Government Relations and partly by the Office for Women.

I would like to take this opportunity to once again congratulate all of the award winners and nominees. Furthermore, I wish to recognise the commitment that these men and women show to their councils and the local government sector.