CHIEF Minister Gallagher has blogged of her desire to get more women running as candidates for the expanded Legislative Assembly in 2016.

“For the first time since 1989 there is a unique opportunity for new candidates to win eight seats in the local parliament without having to defeat a sitting member. This will hopefully entice a new field of candidates who may have not been interested previously to reconsider that decision,” Katy says.

“The expansion also creates a great opportunity for Canberra women to think seriously about a career in the Assembly. While women have held the most senior roles in the ACT Assembly – three Chief Ministers and two Speakers – it’s been a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to ensuring the overall number of women represented in our local parliament is as strong. It’s been as low as two women out of the seventeen members or 11.7% and has peaked at seven out of seventeen 41% where it remains today.

“There is absolutely no reason why as a community we shouldn’t be aspiring for female representation to rise to 50% or more in 2016. But in order to get even close to that figure women will need to step up to the challenge and put their hand up as candidates.”