Cathy McGowan (Indi, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It gives me great pleasure to report to the House on some very productive and positive news from north-east Victoria, regarding the local government elections that have recently taken place.

The VLGA's program called GoWomenLG2016 reports that in Victoria we had an average of 38.1 per cent of councillors being women. I am delighted that in north-east Victoria, in my electorate, 40 per cent of the councillors are women.

Today, I would like to give a call out in Wodonga to Anna Speedie, Kat Bennett and Libby Hall—well done. In Indigo, to Jenny O'Connor, Sophie Price, Barb Murdock and Diane Shepheard—well done. In Towong, well done to Jennifer Star. In Alpine Shire, well done to Kitty Knappstien and Sarah Nichblas. In the Wangaratta shire, well done to Ruth Amery. In Benalla, well done to Barbara Alexander. In Mansfield, well done to Margaret Attley. In Murrindindi, well done to Sandice McCauley, Rebecca Bowles, Jackie Ash, Charlotte Bisset and Margaret Rae.

I have to say in these times of trouble around gender and politics it was so good to see the VLGA taking a lead role in all the work that they did before the elections: having forums, supporting people, acting as mentors and providing really practical advice. I want to acknowledge the work of the VLGA in doing that, but I particularly want to acknowledge the people in my electorate who put their hands up to be a councillor. Thank you for your work. (Time expired)