​Peak local government organisation LGPro has launched a “Male Champions of Change” campaign in a bid to improve gender equity in Victorian councils.

Victoria’s new Local Government Minister Shaun Leane MP introduced the campaign at its official launch in July at LGPro’s Women’s Professional Development Forum, a panel discussion chaired by democracy expert Ruth McGowan.   

While more than half of the administrative workforce in the local government sector is female, less than half of the directors and managers are women. Only one in six chief executive officers of Victoria’s 79 councils are women. 

“The majority of CEOs in local government across Victoria are men,” says McGowan. “Change starts with them. As leaders, they can be fairer and more equitable and encourage gender equity from within the organisation, out in the community and in the (council) chamber.

“Council leaders – from the Mayor and CEO down – need to put in place policies and action to encourage women to not only stand for council and work in local government but also support them to advance through the ranks to management.”

Early signatories to the campaign are four male local government CEOs: Andrew Day from Manningham City Council, Domenic Isola from Hume City Council, Glenn Patterson from City of Casey and Tony Doyle from Knox City Council.

LGPro president Liana Thompson hopes more male CEOs sign up to the initiative. “The sector doesn’t have nearly enough women in senior management,” she says. “We are calling on all councils – especially CEOs – to tackle the problem from within.”