Women should run for Hawkesbury Council – says MP Preston

Robyn Preston, the State MP for Hawkesbury, is encouraging local women to put their hand up to run for Hawkesbury City Council at the September council elections, in a bid to push the number of female councillors over 50 per cent.

There are 12 councillors – half of whom are currently women – on Hawkesbury Council.

Minister for Local Government, Shelley Hancock, with Hawkesbury MP Robyn Preston Ms Preston said the NSW Government was committed to increasing the number of female councillors serving their local communities and achieving greater diversity in councils.

“That’s why the Government has increased funding to $150,000 for women’s organisations to stage a series of workshops for prospective female candidates,” Ms Preston said.

Ms Preston is one of two MPs who serve the Hawkesbury, both women, the other is Federal MP Susan Templeman.

Across NSW, the numbers of female councillors is not as impressive as they are in our own Council, with women holding 31 per cent of councillor positions.

“You don’t need any formal qualifications to stand for election – all you need is a strong will and a desire to make a difference in your local community,” Ms Preston said.

Minister for Local Government, Shelley Hancock, encouraged anyone thinking about running this September to attend one of the workshops organised by Australian Local Government Women’s Association NSW Branch (ALGWA NSW) or Women for Election Australia.

“From Albury to Dubbo, Western Sydney to Lismore, over 30 workshops will be taking place across the State in the next few months to equip and inspire more women to run this September,” Mrs Hancock said.

Minister for Women, Bronnie Taylor, said the Government is focused on building a safer, stronger regional NSW and empowering more women to stand for their community.

“We all know that decisions made at a local government level have an incredible effect on our communities. With more women involved, we have the opportunity for a more balanced view, one that reflects our communities and leads to better outcomes,” Mrs Taylor said.

Information about the NSW Government’s Election of Women to Local Government campaign can be found on the Office of Local Government website. Information about Australian Local Government Women’s Association can be found here. More on Women for Election’s workshop series can be found here.

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