A couple of weeks ago, the association sparked a debate in response to a NSW Government announcement of a publicly-funded campaign to encourage more women to stand for election as Councillors at the next Local Government Elections in September, 2021.
While the association supports absolutely the principle of Equal Opportunity, it does not accept for a moment that Gender Equality is the same thing.
Amongst the feedback the association received was a suggestion defending the government’s initiative, wrongly claiming that it was a fine example of “Affirmative Action”.
While the association believes that
Affirmative Action, or positive discrimination, is a legitimate mechanism to promote
Equal Opportunity, it also believes that its proper application is to situations where there is entrenched opposition or barriers to
Equal Opportunity, such as commonly exist in the corporate sector.
There is no “entrenched opposition” to Equal Opportunity when it comes to Local Government. It is open to almost all adult citizens to stand for election as a Councillor & it is the electorate that decides who will represent them. The association encourages all residents of the Bega Valley to consider offering their services to the community by standing for election as a Councillor.
But the association remains concerned that the government’s actions in announcing its campaign are entirely misguided.
Speaking to the announcement, the Minister for Mental Health, Regional Youth & Women, Bronnie Taylor, said:
“Strong, effective councils are those that reflect the diverse communities they serve and represent, which is why we must do all we can to increase female representation.”
Utter rubbish.
Preaching the merits of diversity as a justification for increased female representation is no different to arguing that Gender Equality is the same as Equal Opportunity. It’s a nonsense.
Again, the association is all for the promotion of Diversity in all walks of life, including government, but would argue that gender is but one of many factors that give it meaning.
But for Bronnie Taylor, or any other proponent of Diversity, to argue that it is the same as Gender Equality is simply dishonest.
Diversity means having a range of people with various racial, ethnic, socioeconomic & cultural backgrounds & various lifestyles, experience & interests.
Or, as Ms Tayor herself observes, “a reflection of our diverse communities”.
The same wrong-headed thinking has shown itself at Bega Valley Shire Council (BVSC) in recent years, with some councillors mouthing support for Diversity on the one hand, while in reality promoting women at the expense of all other groups, or particularly men.
Back in 2018, our recently retired Mayor, Cr Sharon Tapsott, told a meeting of council:
“So, I believe that if the remuneration continues to go up, then we will continue to get a different type of person in this room. And that’s what we need in the end. We don’t need men of a certain age, with a certain amount of wealth …”
At the same time,
Cr Jo Dodds was busy on ABC Radio promoting the notion that more women on council equals greater
Diversity: this nonsense in respect of a council where two thirds of councillors were already women.
The association believes that if the NSW Government is serious about promoting the need for Diversity in Local Government, it should direct the Minister for Local Government, Shelley Hancock, & the Minister for Mental Health, Regional Youth & Women, Bronnie Taylor, to amend their planned public education campaign so as to encourage every community member to consider standing for election, not just women.
John Richardson
Secretary/Treasurer
Bega Valley Shire Residents & Ratepayers Association
Tel: 0264945669
Email: secretary@begavalleyshireratepayers.asn.au
Website: http://www.begavalleyshireratepayers.asn.au