Thursday, 9 June 2022

Ministers statements: Australian Local Government Women’s Association

Mr LEANE (Eastern Metropolitan—Minister for Local Government, Minister for Suburban Development, Minister for Veterans) (12:03): Today I would like to take the opportunity to speak about the Australian Local Government Women’s Association (ALGWA) Mentoring for Success program, which is proudly supported with funding from the Andrews Labor government. It is important to have more women on councils, but it is also important to support women once they get there. This program pairs newly elected councillors with experienced mentors from across the state. It helps develop skills and networks for those who participate in this program, helping them to better deliver for their communities. It also trains experienced women councillors and former councillors to become mentors, a skill they can use beyond this program. Mentoring for Success is the largest formal mentoring program for elected councillors in Australia, with 52 women participating in this program following the 2020 council elections.

In December last year the success of this program was recognised at the National Awards for Local Government, with ALGWA Victoria taking out the Women in Local Government Award for increasing female participation and female leadership roles in local government. And it was richly deserved. I want to congratulate everyone at ALGWA for winning this award. I congratulate them on their recent conference. I think a few people here might have given presentations, and I am sure they were very appreciated. I just want to congratulate ALGWA again on their great work. I have met some female councillors in small rural councils, larger councils and metropolitan councils that have said this program has helped them immensely, so we should all be proud of this work.