Mary Couros among those leading the charge for equality in Adelaide’s City Council

·

A Persian councillor, backed by the Adelaide Lord Mayor and her deputy, Mary Couros, both women with migrant heritage, is calling for an inquiry on gender and cultural equity in the Adelaide City Council.

The aim is to circuit-break alleged bias and bad behaviour among councillors and create a safe place for generations of new local government leaders, family violence survivor and Afghan-born councillor, Arman Abrahimzadeh, told The Advertiser.

His motion for an inquiry will be discussed at a council meeting tonight and has the backing of Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor and Deputy Lord Mayor Cr Mary Couros.

READ MORE: Mother, businesswoman and Deputy Lord Mayor of the City of Adelaide: Meet Mary Couros.

Adelaide City Council Deputy Lord Mayor, Mary Couros, Lord Mayor, Sandy Verschoor, and Councillor, Arman Abrahimzadeh. Picture: Keryn Stevens.

Ms Verschoor, the daughter of Dutch immigrants, said the city’s diverse and multicultural community should be reflected within the elected body, committees, and boards.

“We need to shake up the status quo and be brave in our decision making,” Ms Verschoor told The Advertiser.

Of the council’s 12 members, four are female and half were either born outside Australia or are first-generation migrants.

Cr Couros, daughter of Greek immigrants, said that while the council had strong female leadership in the chamber and staff, the gender scale was still tipped in men’s favour.

Of the council’s 12 members, four are female and half were either born outside Australia or are first-generation migrants.

READ MORE: Mary Couros appointed Deputy Lord Mayor of Adelaide.

She said that until there was equality in numbers it would be difficult to attract more young women and people from diverse cultures to run for local government.

At tonight’s meeting, Cr Abrahimzadeh will ask council’s acting chief executive, Clare Mockler, to identify culture and gender diversity gaps within the council.

He wants Ms Mockler to recommend ways for the council to better reflect cultural and gender diversity and, in turn, prevent bullying and bias in and outside the chamber.

“We must ourselves build a respectful culture where gender equity and diversity are celebrated, emboldened and acknowledged as an elected body,” he told The Advertiser.

Source: The Advertiser.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Kostas Sloukas praises Greek Australian fans as Panathinaikos arrive in Sydney

Panathinaikos BC touched down in Sydney this week for the second leg of the 7th Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament.

From family legacy to the Federal Court: A look into Justice Anastasis Liveris’ legal career

In an exclusive interview with The Greek Herald, the Greek Australian judge reflected on how he felt to achieve this major career milestone.

The Greek influence on Australian television

Among the many communities that helped shape TV culture were Greeks, whose presence both on and off screen left a lasting mark.

Critically endangered monk seal welcomes newborn on Karpathos island

The first Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) birth of 2025 has been confirmed on the island of Karpathos.

Campaigners celebrate as Milos luxury hotel project is halted

Environmental activists have welcomed the suspension of a controversial five-star hotel project on Milos’s world-famous “moon beach”.

You May Also Like

Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos resigns

Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos has resigned from cabinet and the Parliament

Plans in motion for Greece to face Australia in Melbourne friendly

Hellenic Football Association President Makis Gagatsis met with Greek Sports Minister George Mavrotas and Steve Dimopoulos.

Australian murder suspect arrested in Athens identified and faces extradition

Greek police have arrested Melbourne businessman Christopher Perrone, 32, at Athens International Airport on July 31.