NSW Female Councillors to Stamp-out Bullies

Pictured: Cr. Cass Coleman, Mayor Marianne Saliba, Cr. Julie Griffith and Allyson Bradford.

Lithgow had a voice at the table of the NSW Australia Local Government Women’s Association (ALGWA) meeting in Sydney last Saturday 29 September 2018.

Councillor Cass Coleman spoke at the event, putting global equality for women at   the forefront.

“It would be nice to live in a world that 50% representation of females is the norm in all levels of government – and not just in Australia,” said Councillor Coleman. “Imagine the day when affirmative action is no longer required to elevate women into positions of power?”

Association President Marianne Saliba who is also the Mayor of Shellharbour City Council, highlighted ALGWA’s stand on the recent bullying in parliament.

“The accounts of other politicians bullying female parliamentary members in both State and Federal Government is unacceptable and more work needs to be done to raise awareness in this field,” said Councillor Saliba.

ALGWA has worked in partnership with the NSW Office of Local Government and helped in establishing the current Code of Conduct for all councillors across the state.

Councillor Saliba said, “A big thank you to those who have travelled from country NSW, and our Sydney members like Secretary Allyson Bradford who ensured excellent facilities and food for us so we could focus on empowering and enabling our dedicated ladies in local government.”

Blacktown City Councillor Julie Griffith encouraged other councils to follow their Western-Sydney council for its dedication to women’s issues.

“We have a very active Women’s Advisory Committee in Blacktown and ALL female Councillor are members,” said Councillor Griffith. “We meet with a very diverse range of female community members focusing on women issues, and then present back to the monthly Council meeting.”