View the Women in Government project final report - July 2009 ( 256 KB)

In Queensland, women currently make up 34% of elected councillors, 14% of elected mayors and 8% of local government chief executive officers.

To increase women's participation in local government, the National Framework for Women in Local Government was prepared and adopted by the Australian Local Government Women's Association (ALGWA) in November 2001.

In August 2004, a ministerial commitment was made at the Local Government Women's Conference in Stanthorpe to drive a plan to increase women's representation in local governments within Queensland.

A Ministerial Advisory Committee for women in local government, known as the Women in Local Government Strategy Group, was formed to identify and overcome obstacles to women's participation in local government.

Our goal

To increase the participation of women in Queensland local government so that councils more accurately reflect their communities. This is measured by the growth in numbers of women councillors, mayors, chief executive officers and senior staff.

Our objectives

• To create councils and communities where all people participate and actively share their skills.
• To produce inclusive councils where a full range of opinions is sought, respected and taken into account in decision-making.
• To ensure effective leadership in pursuing agreed strategies to carry out the National Framework for Women in Local Government.
• To expand training and networking opportunities that will support those strategies.