Frankston City invites more women to stand for council

Women aspiring to become a Frankston City councillor are being encouraged to apply for a new program. Applications close on June 28 for the State Government’s Women Leading Locally program, which encourages applications from women in specific municipalities – including Frankston City – where women were most under-represented at the 2020 local government elections. The program will help women develop leadership skills, provide them with ongoing mentoring and equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to run a successful local government campaign. Women who are Aboriginal, live with disability or identify as LGBTQI+ are encouraged to apply.

Deputy Mayor Suzette Tayler, North West Ward councillor Sue Baker and South Ward councillor Claire Harvey encouraged women to consider taking part in the program, which will support 120 women over the next two years to develop the connections and tools they need to campaign as candidates in the next council elections in 2024. Cr Tayler, who is in her fourth term on council and is passionate about both community service and Frankston City, said: “I have lived in Frankston City all my life. It’s not just about rates, roads and rubbish; it is about families and providing good programs for our youth and our elderly.” 

Cr Baker was elected to Frankston City Council in 2020 and has enjoyed her time taking part in vital council deliberations and decision-making, formulating policy and delivering results for residents. “I wanted to support my community and make a difference locally; that’s why I stood for council. My experience spans corporate and not-for-profit organisations managing people and resources. With this background and a passionate focus on customer service, I saw the opportunity to run for council as the perfect role to bring my skills, experience and passion for people together in the place I now call home. It’s critical that women’s voices are heard on council, and I encourage other women to take the first step to achieving this by applying for the Women Leading Locally program.”

Cr Harvey also won a seat on council at the 2020 elections. She is passionate about action on climate change, waste reduction and moving towards models of a circular economy. “Are you interested in becoming a councillor and influencing what happens in your local community? Local councillors play an important leadership role and work together to make decisions about what happens in our community. Councillors, in partnership with council staff, are part of a team that work together for the sake of our community – the services that shape it and the direction for the future. The Women Leading Locally program is a unique opportunity to be supported into local government by skilled facilitators who want you to succeed and know what you need to get to the finish line.” Cr Harvey said councillors played an important role in determining local government policies, developing and monitoring strategic plans and budgets, considering the council’s resources and the community’s needs, and overseeing the allocation of local government finances and resources.

Frankston state Labor MP Paul Edbrooke said it was “fantastic to see this initiative supporting increased representation of women councillors and mayors in Frankston. I am proud to be part of a government caucus that currently has 50 per cent representation of women within the State Government. We are now supporting local government to achieve the same target with the Women Leading Locally program”.

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