Bass Coast Shire’s big push for gender equality

Bass Coast Shire Council has become the first local government to force professional sporting groups to pay women the same prize money as men. 

Bass Coast Shire Council’s is pushing to increase gender equality through prize money won at professional sporting events.

A regional Victorian council will make professional sporting organisations award the same prize money to female and male competitors under a landmark push for gender equality.

Bass Coast Shire Council is believed to be the first local government in the nation to force sporting groups using its facilities to hand out equal prize money regardless of gender.

It comes after a world-first decision to split prize money equally at the AMX Motocross Open to be held in Wonthaggi next month.

It is the first time equal cash has been awarded in Australian Motocross and believed to be a first in world Motocross competition.

Bass Coast Shire Council chief executive Ali Wastie said the decision was “simply the right thing to do”.

“If you use council facilities it is only fair that you treat male and females with equality and we will actively support sporting bodies that embody those values,’’ she said.

“If this is a lever to achieve positive change then that’s a good thing.’’

Wonthaggi-Dandenong Motorcycle Club will host the AMX MX Open on December 11 and 12.

More than with 180 competitors are expected with the $20,000 prize money to be split between the top classes.

Australian Motocross rider Emma Milesevic said the decision was a “long time coming”.

“I know how much effort the women riders put into their racing and to be recognised like this is amazing,’’ she said.

Organiser Yarrive Konsky said council’s commitment was integral to bringing the event to Wonthaggi.

“Bass Coast Shire Council wanted to stimulate events in their local community, so we are pleased to have their support for a motocross event,” he said.

“We are also proud they wanted the prize to be split equally across all competitors, male and female.”

Council said professional sporting groups would be questioned about the prize money when booking its facilities.

The announcement is the latest of first made by Bass Coast Shire Council this year.

In September, it made changes to its parental leave support package removing the difference between primary and secondary carers to that mums, dads and same sex partners are entitled to the same paid leave of 16 weeks, up from 14.

Employees with caring responsibilities will also be given flexible working arrangements.

In October, Bass Coast was the first local council to enforce a no jab, job policy for its 400 employees after deeming them as essential.

Under the policy, all employees needed to have received their first jab by October 14 with the workplace being fully vaccinated by November 26.

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