Bass Coast Shire’s Deputy Mayor has continued to defend her council reimbursed childcare

Bass Coast deputy mayor Leticia Laing has continued to defend spending council funds on childcare, saying it’s what could get more women into government.

Women in Bass Coast are standing up for equality and equity after a Bass Coast councillor was attacked for using her council reimbursements on childcare last month.

Deputy Mayor Leticia Laing copped criticism in September after she claimed ratepayer money to use on childcare fees.

She was labelled the “most expensive” councillor despite having only the third highest level of reimbursement.

She used this criticism to inspire her address at a forum held last week, inspiring more women to enter government.

On Friday Cr Laing helped host the ‘Women Leading Locally Forum’ which was designed to further support women to become community leaders.

She said one of the questions was around how to build resilience in the face of unwarranted criticism.

“I spoke about my experience receiving criticism for being an ‘expensive councillor’ by some of the media and the impact that had on me,” she said.

“It was an opportunity for me to talk about the cost of democracy. These reimbursements are a question of providing fair access to everyone to represent their community through council.”

She said it shouldn’t just be people who could afford childcare from their own pocket that represented their communities.

“People who have really diverse backgrounds and life experiences, we all deserve a seat at council because that’s how the community gets better,” she said.

“Not everyone can afford to fund their council role from their personal income and not everyone should have to if they can contribute.

“For example I’m the only councillor with young children on council so obviously I’m the only one who needs to be reimbursed for my childcare expenses. Resilience for me is about holding true to those values that drive you and your work in the community.”

Current and former councillors came together at the forum to share their insights and experiences and discuss the benefits of having more women on council.

On Friday Cr Laing helped host the Women Leading Locally Forum which was designed to further support women to become community leaders.

Cr Laing said when she spoke out against sexist attacks over her childcare costs “people who have really diverse backgrounds and life experiences, we all deserve a seat at council because that’s how the community gets better,” she said.

It was hosted by gender equality expert in local government, Ruth McGowan and guests heard from Cr Laing, as well as Cr Clare Le Serve, Cr Rochelle Halstead and former mayor and councillor Pam Rothfield.

Cr Laing said women were generally under-represented in all levels of government and this needed to change at the root level first.

This could be done by removing the stigma around women using the supports available to them, she said.

“This forum was about providing an insight into what it’s like for women councillors in the Bass Coast Shire,” Cr Laing said.

“There are so many brilliant, talented women out in our community who have so much to offer. It was excellent to meet so many of them today.”

“I hope that we planted a seed that will grow into our community having greater women’s representation in the Bass Coast Shire.”

Councillor Clare Le Serve also spoke to attendees about the importance of self belief.

“Being a councillor is a challenging and rewarding opportunity. It isn’t easy all the time, but everyone that stands for council is there to make a difference,” she said.