VICTORIAN local government elections are coming up later this year.
This is a time when everyone in local communities has to decide who will represent them on local government issues.
Ideally, these representatives will have a focus on serving the whole community, rather than interest groups or political ideology.
Local government is about providing for local needs. It’s looking after local roads, sports grounds, arts and playgrounds. It’s about making sure our garbage is collected, that the local environment is cared for, that there are trees and gardens in our streets and that there are safe footpaths for people to use.
It’s about making sure building regulations are being followed and that, as a town grows, the right services are in place, including maternal and child health, kinder services and aged-care services. And to make sure health rules are being followed so locals don’t have to endure food poisoning.
These are the things a councillor needs to be concerned about so that the local community is being served on a local level. It is the coalface of government and an incredibly important one.
As a woman and a Member of Federal Parliament, I quite often get asked what my views are on women in representative roles, such as in local, state and federal politics, and whether there should be a quota. My answer is I don’t believe there should be quotas. Diversity is incredibly important, but it must not be prescriptive.
I don’t believe that we should be setting quotas on how many women should run, or how many councillors should be female or male. We should do everything we can to provide platforms for women to grow and develop their skills, ensuring that if they feel called or are asked to put their hand up to serve the community in this way, they are equipped.
I think it’s vitally important that women are encouraged to put their hand up for service. I believe women bring different perspectives and life experience to whatever role they seek. Evidence, unfortunately, also shows that women are less likely to put themselves out there for these roles. Ultimately, we hope that the people who are elected to these positions are the best for the job.
On local government we need genuine servants who are interested in seeing their local communities thrive.
Anne Webster is the Member for Mallee
