Labor councillor says women complain too much about pay

Women who want one of the most sought-after jobs in local government — the Parramatta Council CEO position which pays more than the prime minister and NSW premier — need to stop “complaining” and start applying, councillor Pierre Esber says.

• Concerns over Sydney Fish Market redevelopment
• Boat owners livid over seagrass ruling

Women who want one of the most sought-after jobs in local government need to stop “complaining” and start applying.

And females who apply to be Parramatta Council CEO — which pays more than the jobs of Australian prime minister and NSW premier — can’t blame their gender if they don’t get the gig because the recruitment process is free of bias.

Parramatta councillor Pierre Esber says women should apply for the Parramatta Council CEO job.

“Women are always out there complaining that they do not get a fair go and that they do not get paid well,” Mr Esber told The Sunday Telegraph.

“Well, here is an application in a corporate job that’s for the taking.

“I call upon all eligible women to apply and look forward to working with the best person for the job.”

MORE FROM BEN PIKE

SYDNEY THREE MONTHS FROM WATER RESTRICTIONS

BILLIONAIRE DEVELOPER “PISSED OFF” ABOUT $5M FINE

But the state president of the Australian Local Government Women’s Association, Cassandra Coleman, said the comments were “very concerning” and that the council needs to appoint more women on selection panels.

Mr Esber was on the selection panel when Mark Stapleton was appointed to the role in July 2018.

Former Parramatta Council CEO Mark Stapleton.

That panel consisted of four men and one woman. The council decided to “terminate the employment” of Mr Stapleton in February after accusations Mr Stapleton falsified parts of his CV.

Mr Stapleton did not respond to requests for comment.

Sue Coleman has been the acting CEO.

During that application process only two of the 70 applicants were women.

“Last time we had applicants as diverse as a former councillor, lobster farmer and a restaurant owner,” Mr Esber said.

“I would definitely like to see more than two female applications this time. I would like to see us get 55 out of 70 applications who are women.”

Mr Esber said those who think women should be paid less than men “have been living under a rock”.

The new three person panel consists of two men — Lord Mayor Andrew Wilson and councillor Bob Dwyer — and female councillor Donna Davis.

The panel’s recommendations will then be taken to all 15 councillors for a final decision, expected before October.

Parramatta is Sydney’s second CBD.

Mr Esber said he has not seen evidence of gender bias at the western Sydney council, which collected $298 million in revenue last year.

“Some of them have tried to hide behind the fact that they are a woman, saying that is the reason why they didn’t get the job,” he said.

Australian Local Government Women’s Association NSW president and Lithgow councillor Cassandra Coleman.

“I haven’t seen any of that in Parramatta.”

Females comprise 14-20 per cent of the 128 CEOs and general managers that run local council in NSW, according to the Australian Local Government Women’s Association.

The number of elected female mayors is about 29 per cent.

Ms Coleman said while she welcomes more women in local government, his choice of words was “very concerning”.

“What he needed to do is encourage gender equality and leave it at that,” the Lithgow councillor said.

“I would like to hear from one of the other female councillors from Parramatta.”

Ms Coleman said Parramatta Council should expand the selection panel to four so they could include another woman.

“Women get disappointed when gentlemen in positions of power talk about ‘our issues’,” Ms Coleman said.

“That does not help the situation of gender equality.”

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian earns $298,896 a year while Prime Minister Scott Morrison earns $538,460.

Originally published as Labor councillor says women complain too much about pay