WA: State government seeks diverse advice from WA community

AAP General News (Australia)
04-04-2001
WA: State government seeks diverse advice from WA community

PERTH, April 4 AAP - West Australians were today invited to register their interest
in sitting on government boards and advisory committees.

Premier Geoff Gallop said the government wanted to hear from women, Aborigines, people
from non-english speaking backgrounds, people with disabilities, young people and the
aged to increase the diversity of people advising on community issues.

The state's interested persons register contained only 488 names but there were more
than 4,500 positions on boards and committees, he said.

"Not only do we want more West Australians to nominate, we want a greater cross-section
of the community to nominate, particularly from groups that have not been well represented
in the past," he said.

He said women made up only 25 per cent of board and committee members.

"We are determined to turn that around and ensure that membership of boards and committees
truly reflects the diversity of our community."

A review of the membership of 573 boards and committees was underway, he said.

A spokesman for Dr Gallop said the government would invite people to submit their names
to the register via advertisements in newspapers throughout the state.

AAP lk/mjm/de _

KEYWORD: ADVICE

2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.