The UTS Centre for Local Government can demonstrate a longstanding commitment to undertaking research and capacity-building projects aiming to advance the status of Australian women in local government. The following is a summary of our work over time, and provides access to relevant resources developed by the CLG and elsewhere.

• Paths for Women in Local Government: National Figures and Local Successes (2003)
• Review of the National Framework for Women in Local Government: The Way Forward (2007)
• NSW LGSA Women's Mentoring Program: Tools and References for Candidates and Newly Elected Councillors (2008)
• 50:50 Vision - A National Program for Gender Equity in Local Government (2009)
• Australian Local Government Women's Association: Research (2009)
• Other Industry Resources

 

 
Paths for Women in Local Government: National Figures and Local Successes (2003)

In 2003 the UTS CLG were funded by LGMA National to undertake a comprehensive, contemporary review of women's employment in local government in Australia. The research reviewed the ABS data profiles, documented the career profiles of four women General Managers, and also looked at some of the practices and initiatives in the councils managed by those General Managers.

The report found that in 2001 local government was the most "male" of all the levels of government, with 40% of employees being women. At that time there had also been a dramatic increase of part-time work - in 1985 only 15% of local government employees were part time, but by 2001 26% were working part time. Large differences were identified amongst occupational groups, with 95% of clerical workers being women and a large majority of men in laboring and management roles.

This research also includes interviews with four of the then six female General Managers in NSW to identify success factors within each career path. Important factors included the need to work outside local government before taking on senior roles; the need to move geographically between councils and/or states; the importance of supportive male mentors; and solutions to managing the needs of families and/or dependents. Download Report.

 
Review of the National Framework for Women in Local Government: The Way Forward (2007)

The UTS CLG was commissioned by ALGWA to evaluate the implementation of the National Framework for Women in Local Government. The report reviewed actions taken since the framework was adopted in 2001 at national, state and local levels.

The review included an internet survey gauging the experiences and opinions of around 700 women elected and working in local government, and described challenges for women in the areas of capacity, culture and governance. The review also proposed a "Gender Matters" program, including recommending the establishment of a National Steering Committee to progress the identified issues and solutions. Download Report.

 
NSW LGSA Women's Mentoring Program: Tools and References for Candidates and Newly Elected Councillors (2008)

An associate consultant of the UTS CLG was commissioned in 2008 by the NSW LGSA to prepare background and reference materials for a mentoring program designed to support women seeking and achieving election in NSW in 2008.

Useful references provided to support the co-ordination program covered topics such as the characteristics and benefits of mentoring; characteristics of a good mentor; and factors influencing the success of mentoring programs.

Useful references provided to support mentors and mentees included information on the following topics: assessing readiness to seek election; preparing a campaign and working with the media; life as a woman in local government - issues and challenges; how to be the councilllor you want to be; and other relevant industry references and website links. Download Report.

 
50:50 Vision - A National Program for Gender Equity in Local Government (2009)

The UTS CLG worked with and on behalf of ALGWA to provide a summary of progress on the national Gender Equity program for the ALGWA 2009 national conference. This report included a profile on the rationale and events designed to support the 2010 Year of Women in Local Government; described the makeup and purpose of the National Steering Committee; outlined the proposed accreditation and awards program for Councils; and summarized the takeup across Australia of councils adopting the national framework.

Over 120 councils have responded to the national framework, and the vision describes a range of initiatives which councils have adopted to support and encourage women in local government. Successful policy and practice initiatives from councils include an internal mentoring program, home-based work policies, family-friendly leave provisions, support for election candidates, childcare options and recruitment policies. Download Report.

 
Australian Local Government Women's Association: Research (2009)

This research included two components: the first was a repeat of the 2007 internet survey, this time receiving over 3,500 respondents. The second component was an analysis of 2006 ABS census data regarding comparative education and income levels of men and women working in local government.

The internet survey allowed women to describe issues and challenges they experienced in their roles due to gender. For elected members the key issues were the time demands and efforts to balance family life, access to training and confidence building, financial considerations, adequate support from the CEO and Senior Staff, and accessing better information and support about elections. For staff the key issues were a negative workplace culture, training and confidence building, bias in job selection processes, and inconsistent application of family-friendly policies. Better information and support was also seen as an issue for unsuccessful candidates.

The ABS data quantifies to some extent the situation of women working in local government. While women working in Councils are often more highly educated, they are more likely to work part time. Average full time weekly wages of women in local government are around 10% lower than those of their male counterparts. Download Report.

 
Other Industry Resources

A collection of useful resources is presented here sourced from various states around Australia, international and academic sources. Users are requested to respect and acknowledge the copyright of the various authors (link to other page with reference list).

• Boak, A.,Colosimo, D. and Toohey, T. 2009, 'Australia's Hidden Resource: The Economic Case for Increasing Female Participation', Goldman Sachs JB Were. Download.
• Broussine, M. and Fox, P. 2002, 'Rethinking Leadership in Local Government: The Place of 'Feminine' Styles in the Modernised Council', Local Government Studies, 28(4) pp. 91-106. Link.
• Carli, L. and Eagly, A. 2007, 'Women and the Labyrinth of Leadership', Harvard Business Review. Download.
• Department for Women 2002, Hands Up For Women In Council, Department for Women. Download.
• Drage, J. 2001, Women in Local Government in Asia and the Pacific, paper presented to the Asia-Pacific Summit of Women Mayors and Councillors, Phitsanulok, Thailand 18-22 June 2001. Download.
• Federation of Canadian Municipalities 2004, Increasing Women's Participation In Municipal Decision Making, Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Ottawa; Ontario. Download | Download Toolkit.
• Frere, M. 2003, Moving On: Women and Retirement from Victorian Local Government, Local Government Managers Australia, Carlton. Download.
• Hands, D., Taylor, S., Featherstone, R. and Bovaird, T. 2007, Understanding The Barriers And Incentives To Becoming And Remaining A Councillor In England, Research Report 2, Department for Communities and Local Government, London. Download.
• Local Government Managers Australia 2008, Step This Way: Women at work in Local Government in South Australia, Local Government Managers Australia. Download.
• Maddison, S., Partridge, E. 2007, How Well Does Australian Democracy Serve Australian Women?, Report No.8, The Australian National University, Canberra. Download.
• Nirmala, R., Grayson, L. and Young, K. 2007, Improving the Representativeness of Councillors An International Literature Review, Research Report 3, Department for Communities and Local Government, London. Download.
• The Office for Women, Women in Local Government in Queensland, Information Paper 2, The Office for Women: Department of Local Government, Planning, Sport and Recreation, City East Q. Download.
• The Office for Women, Women and Leadership, Information Paper 4, The Office for Women: Department of Local Government, Planning, Sport and Recreation, City East Q. Download.
• Ryan, C., Pini, B. and Brown, K. 2005, 'Beyond stereotypes: An exploratory profile of Australian women mayors'. Local Government Studies, 31(4) pp. 443-448. Download.
• Wolstenholme, R. 2002, Women Into Local Government, Women Tasmania, Hobart. Download.