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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Second Session (51-2)
2008-04-30 Daily Xml
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LOCAL GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

Mr O'BRIEN (Napier) (15:06): My question is to the Minister for State/Local Government Relations. Can the minister advise the house how the state government is supporting local government in its ongoing efforts to strengthen leadership with local councils?

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Volunteers, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister Assisting in Early Childhood Development) (15:07): I thank the member for Napier for his question and acknowledge his longstanding interest in local government issues and his continuing work with local government. The state government is pleased to support local government in many ways and, in particular, has supported the South Australian Local Government Managers Association in the work this organisation does to constantly improve standards of leadership and management in local government here in South Australia. The LGMA runs a range of leadership programs and provides training opportunities for those in local government and also recognises the outstanding work by leaders in the local government sector.

I was pleased to attend their annual Leadership Excellence Awards function just a couple of weeks ago. Innovative leaders and outstanding initiatives in the local government sector were recognised, and awards were presented, including for Excellence in Sustainability within Local Government, sponsored by the state government (the Department of the Premier and Cabinet) and awarded to the Barossa council for its Barossa Bush Gardens, which has been instrumental in saving a number of species of plants and, importantly, has involved something like 150 volunteers. Zero Waste SA sponsored the Excellence in Waste Management within Local Government Award, which was given to the City of Burnside for a biobasket trial that demonstrated that a further 8.6 per cent of household waste could be processed in the green organics waste stream. I commend these and other councils for their outstanding work to progress environmental issues.

This year I was particularly pleased to sponsor and present two awards—one to the LGMA Challenge champions, won by an enthusiastic team from the City of Marion and sponsored by the Office of State/Local Government Relations; and also the inaugural Award for Excellence in Advancing the Status of Women in Local Government.

Mr Pengilly: What about one for men as well, next year?

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: Don't be so petulant. Interestingly, we have about 20 per cent of women in leadership positions in local government, yet the majority of awards were won by women. What does that tell you? Members opposite need to think about their track record with respect to supporting women. Look at the number of women on the benches opposite—it is not good, and it is not looking good for the future.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: Have you got them lined up for Flinders?

The SPEAKER: The house will come to order! The minister.

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: Members opposite have a very poor record, so I understand their embarrassment when we talk about supporting women. This particular award for advancing the status of women in local government recognises individuals or groups within councils that have implemented corporate process improvements, projects or initiatives to further women's participation in local government. It is designed to encourage councils and local government bodies to focus on innovative and practical ways of supporting and advancing women.

As a result, the City of Onkaparinga was the winner of that particular award. That council has had a longstanding commitment to supporting the advancement of women. The council provides, for example, paid maternity leave and parental leave, job sharing and accelerated progressive arrangements for part-time employees. Women are also given targeted development opportunities and are actively encouraged to apply for senior positions in council. As a result, the City of Onkaparinga has boasted 40 to 50 per cent representation of women in management positions for over a decade. This is an example for local government. It is an example that those opposite could take up as well!

Advancing the status of women is not only an issue for local government, it is an issue for all of us. It is not just about equity and equal opportunity: it is one of economic survival as well. It was pleasing to note that women were successful finalists in many of the other award categories, with Heather Barclay of the City of Gawler winning the Emerging Leader of the Year Award, Adelaide City Council's Kate Fleetwood winning Risk Manager of the Year and Barbara Chappell of the City of Onkaparinga winning the Leadership and Management Excellence Award for metro councils.

I am also pleased that the minister's State/Local Government Forum has recently put the issue of women in local government on its agenda, and, as a result, a joint working group has been established with the Local Government Association, state government and local government management and council involvement, again, to further progress women in local government. This group is leading the work to identify strategies and projects, and I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all award recipients on the night.

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