IF you attend a civic event in Cockburn you might see Chamonix Terblanche breastfeeding her five-month-old son or changing his nappy on the floor.

Cr Terblanche says being a mum to two young kids and a councillor is leaving her out of pocket: to attend a council event she often has to pay for a babysitter to look after Monaco, 2, and then pay another carer to look after infant Bordeaux (with her nipping out to breast feed).

Under council rules Cr Terblanche can only claim for child care expense while at a council or committee meeting, not at training sessions or other civic events.

• Cockburn Cr Chamonix Terblanche and her five-month old son, Bordeaux. Photo
by
Matthew
Dwyer

“At $25 per hour for child care, and up to several council events a week, the costs quickly mount up,” she says.

“I’m a committed councillor and want to do the job properly.

“I have not missed one meeting or event since being elected.

“I think if local government wants to encourage more mothers and women to sign up they need to look at look at comprehensive child care reimbursement.

“My husband often has work commitments at night as well.”

Cockburn council has taken note and is considering expanding child care reimbursement to include all events where an elected member is representing the council.

Julia Wilcox stood down from Vincent city council in Perth’s inner-northern suburbs last year because she found it impossible to reconcile three children under three with tea-time council meetings.

“The council meetings are at six o’clock which is a terrible time for a family,” she’d said.

“Between 5 and 6.45 is battle stations—dinner, bath and bed.

“Having the meetings at seven would make it much easier for parents with young children.”

Her departure followed on the heels of WA police and women’s interests minister Liza Harvey calling on more women to run for local government.

“A lot of people complain about the decisions of local government, well, guess why: they don’t have the diversity they need to make good decisions,” the now deputy premier had said.

Despite a recent jump in councillors’ fees and allowances, Cr Terblanche says mothers of young kids need extra financial support.

“Listen, I’ve taken my baby to training sessions and changed his nappy on the floor, so nobody can doubt my commitment,” she says.

“But we need proper support if we want more women and especially mothers to join local government.”

by STEPHEN POLLOCK