Representation as privilege or burden: centring pay to achieve gender parity and ‘diversity’ in local government

Abstract

A lack of diversity within local government in Australia and globally is recognised as a problem. Government efforts to increase the representation of women, youth, racialised minorities, people with disabilities and so on do not, however, address a major impediment to their participation: inadequate remuneration. In this article, we present data from a survey, interviews and ethnographic research to reveal the consequences of not paying councillors a living wage. A lens of critical volunteerism exposes the ways in which women are encouraged to become councillors as an extension of community activities, only to be underpaid for their labour. We argue that encouraging under-represented groups to contest for a place on councils without increasing the financial feasibility of them occupying the role will not only fail to address a lack of diversity on New South Wales councils but put too heavy a burden of representation on people least able to bear the costs.