NWC gives evidence at the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Published: Wednesday, June 30, 2021

At the beginning of June, NWC gave evidence at the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage. We welcome reform in this area and are supportive of a number of proposals. We are asking the commission to also address the following as part of its functions:

• to take on a role to support and promote political candidacy with women and underrepresented groups including overseeing the extension of candidate selection quotas for Local Elections.

• monitoring of public investment into political parties to ensure the participation of women.

• developing standards in political discourse that are free from discriminatory rhetoric and hate speech and tackling online abuse.

• amend the Electoral Act in order to protect the legitimate advocacy role of civil society organisations.

You can read our opening statement and our full submission on the General Scheme of the Electoral reform bill