At the 2024 ALGWA NSW AGM held in Ryde NSW, it was resolved:
That ALGWA NSW develop an annual policy platform and a list of advocacy priorities, including advocacy
based on resolutions from Member motions from the conference AGM.
Click here to read the current advocacy platform.
In 2023, ALGWA NSW initiated a confidential survey of women councillors regarding their experiences of bullying, harassment, including sexual harassment, and intimidation within NSW Local Government.
We are now sharing the Survey Report, along with an Infographic Summary of results. A copy of the survey can be found in Appendix 1 of the Survey Report.
ALGWA Infographic Survey Results 1 page summary
The survey has shown that a large proportion of women councillors who answered the survey are experiencing mental and physical health impacts from bullying and harassment. This is extremely concerning. If this is you, please know that you are not alone and that in 2024 ALGWA NSW is conducting research to develop effective strategies of collective action to make effective structural change.
New report finds widespread harassment of women councillors poses risk to local democracy
A new ALGWA NSW report shows that bullying, harassment and intimidation of women councillors is systemic and is affecting who can participate and lead in local government.
The Australian Local Government Women’s Association (ALGWA) NSW has released a new report examining the experiences of women councillors across the state.
Drawing on interviews with women councillors, the report finds that harassment and intimidation are not isolated incidents, but part of broader patterns that undermine participation, silence voices and weaken democratic representation.
The report identifies these dynamics as a serious democratic risk and calls for coordinated reform to ensure women can participate fully, confidently and without fear in local government.
The report was presented at the ALGWA NSW Annual Conference in Blacktown in March 2026, where women councillors from across the state came together to discuss the findings and the need for action to ensure safety, inclusion and respect in local councils.
Click below link to read the full report:
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Keep yourself updated. For the latest ALGWA NSW related news, please visit our events section.
