DCC councillors 'need a willy' to progress - Butcher

Fliss Butcher
Fliss Butcher
"You have to have a willy to get anywhere in this council."

That was Dunedin city councillor Fliss Butcher's reaction after she was overlooked for the role of council appointee on the advisory board of the University of Otago's centre for entrepreneurship council.

She says sexism is behind the decision - a claim hotly denied last night by Mayor Peter Chin.

Cr Butcher said she was "extremely disappointed" she was not the council appointee on the advisory board of the University of Otago's centre for entrepreneurship.

She was studying for a master's degree in entrepreneurship and had a long background in small business, she said.

She had asked Mr Chin for the opportunity to take the role but, despite her qualifications, interest and involvement in the area, had not been recommended by the mayor for the appointment.

"That [sexism] is the only thing I can think it is. I can't think of any other reason I've been overlooked."

She noted Greater Dunedin councillors Dave Cull and Chris Staynes had been appointed deputy chairmen of committees after last year's election but the third member of their group, Cr Kate Wilson, had not.

A report from Mr Chin to a full meeting of the council this week said members of the council's economic development committee met professor of entrepreneurship Brendan Gray, who told them he was setting up the advisory board to encourage entrepreneurship research, education and practice in Dunedin.

Prof Gray had asked for one elected member of the council and one staff member to be on the board.

Mr Chin said he had consulted with committee chairman Cr John Bezett and deputy chairman Cr Cull.

Cr Cull had indicated he was interested in the role and Mr Chin recommended him.

The council voted to support that recommendation.

Asked if sexism had played a role in the appointment, Mr Chin last night strongly indicated it had not.

At the meeting, he said disappointment was inevitable if more than one person wanted one appointment: "That goes with being a councillor."

He was unwilling to elaborate on that last night.

Cr Butcher said if other women saw the way she had been treated, they might not bother to enter local politics.

"I don't know what you have to do to be taken seriously as a business person in this city."

 

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