Decision details

Moved by Councillor Scott, seconded by the Chair (the Deputy Lord Mayor) –

It is resolved that:

(A)        Council note:

(i)          that women in Australia retire with half the superannuation of men, due to the following gender-based differences in Australian labour force participation:

(a)        women take more time out of the workplace than men to raise a family;

(b)        more women than men return to part time work to accommodate family responsibilities; and

(c)         the gender pay gap equates to significant salary discrepancies and contributes to less superannuation savings for women working full time;

(ii)         that the NSW Office of Local Government 'Candidate and Councillor Diversity Report 2017' noted that '91% of Councils have less than 50% female councillors';

(iii)        that women and men have an equal right to be representatives in local government;

(iv)       that in recognition of the value of different experiences and perspectives, the City of Sydney Council encourage and welcome the participation of women in all aspects of local government;

(v)         that the City of Sydney Council, as a leading capital city council, is in a unique position to increase the numbers and participation of women in public life so that decision-making more clearly represents and reflects the interests and demography of our community; and

(vi)       that the superannuation rate is 11.5 per cent rate for federal Senators and Members and 12.5 per cent for NSW MPs; and

(B)        the Chief Executive Officer be requested to prepare a submission to the ministerial discussion paper on superannuation, supporting the introduction of superannuation for all mayors and councillors in NSW, in addition to the fees currently paid to councillors.

The motion was carried on the following show of hands –

Ayes (7)     The Chair (the Deputy Lord Mayor), Councillors Kok, Miller, Phelps, Scott, Thalis and Vithoulkas

Noes (2)     Councillors Chung and Forster.

Motion carried. 

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