The Andrews Labor Government is continuing its commitment to gender equality with a $1.8 million investment to support women aspiring to leadership roles in local government.

Minister for Local Government Shaun Leane today announced funding for 120 places in a new Women’s Community Leadership program as part of the 2021 Victorian State Budget.

Gender Equality Advisory Committee (GEAC) co-chair Juliana Addison welcomed the investment, noting that the new program will encourage more women to aspire to leadership positions and put women at the forefront of Victoria’s local government sector future leaders.

GEAC will draw on the wisdom and expertise of the committee to design and deliver the Women’s Community Leadership program.

GEAC brings together women from across the local government sector with a common goal of achieving the Victorian Government’s target of 50 per cent female mayors and councillors by 2025, as well as the implementation of the Australian-first Gender Equality Act across local government.

The Women’s Community Leadership program will begin in 2021 and directly support the Government’s 2025 target through work to increase the pool of potential women candidates for the 2024 local government elections.

The $1.8 million investment will support 120 training places over three years for women considering leadership opportunities in local government and community-based organisations that provide pathways to local government leadership.

The program will capitalise on the October 2020 local government election results where Victoria set a national record number of female councillors, with 272 women elected to council, accounting for more than 43 per cent of all councillors.

Applicants who identify as potential candidates for the November 2024 local government elections will have priority for training places in 2023-24.

Quotes attributable to Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison

“Victoria has set a national record for the number of female councillors and the funding for the Community Leadership program is a chance to achieve our goal of equal representation on councils by 2025.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Local Government Shaun Leane

“I’m proud to announce the Victorian Government’s investment which will support 120 leadership program places for women in local government and make a real impact on gender equality in the sector.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Women Gabrielle Williams

“This program will drive new opportunities for women to participate in local government. I’m delighted to be contributing to this effort, which will build on our work to progress gender equality in our state.”