Community Services Reference Group - North Sydney Council · Council officers have since adapted...

N O R T H S Y D N E Y C O U N C I L

Community Services Reference Group

Report CS08 - 8 October 2013

Attachments: 1. Draft Gender Equity Survey - Councillors

2. Draft Gender Equity Survey - Staff

SUBJECT: 50:50 Vision - Councils for Gender Equity Program AUTHOR: Russell Wolfe, Social Planner EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Research has shown that the under-representation of women in senior management roles and among elected representatives is a key challenge facing Australia’s local government sector. In response, the Australian Local Government Women’s Association has launched an initiative called ‘50:50 Vision - Councils for Gender Equity’. Participation in this accredited national program requires councils to consult with their staff and elected representative to identify any gender equity issues and develop tailored solutions. At its meeting on 9 July 2012, Council resolved to participate in the program. This report provides an update on the steps taken since then, and recommends that the staff and Councillor consultation now commence. Annual costs for involvement in the program are $1,000 approximately. RECOMMENDATION: 1. THAT the staff and Councillor consultation on gender equity issues commence. 2. THAT a report on the findings of the consultation and any recommended solutions be presented to Council. Signed: Endorsed by:

Director Community and Library Services

Report of Russell Wolfe, Social Planner Re: 50:50 Vision - Councils for Gender Equity Program

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LINK TO DELIVERY PROGRAM The relationship with the Delivery Program is as follows: Direction: 5. Our Civic Leadership Outcome: 5.1 Council leads the strategic direction of North Sydney

5.3 Council is ethical, open, accountable and transparent in its decision making 5.6 Council is an employer of choice

BACKGROUND Over the last decade, the under-representation of women in senior management roles and among elected representatives has been increasingly recognized as a key challenge facing Australia’s local government sector. In 2001, the Australian Local Government Women’s Association (ALGWA) adopted the National Framework for Women in Local Government to achieve greater representation of women at both the elected and senior management levels. Following years of slow progress, in 2007, ALGWA reviewed the National Framework and published a revised version titled ‘The Way Forward’. The new program launched a range of initiatives under the banner 50:50 Vision, including promoting 2010 as the Year of Women in Local Government and the development of an accreditation and awards scheme. The awards scheme was titled 50:50 Vision - Council’s for Gender Equity (www.5050vision.com.au) and in May 2012, Council received a Ministerial Circular encouraging participation in the program. On 9 July 2012, in response to a report recommending Council participate, Council resolved: THAT Council signs up to the Gender Equity Program. THAT staff and Councillors be consulted on gender equity issues in order that a program of monitoring and improvements where identified can take place, following which a statement of commitment (Bronze Award) can be drafted. Staff have signed Council up to the program but a number of factors have caused the consultation with Councillors and staff to be postponed until now (including the Local Government Elections in September 2012, a change in management of the 50:50 Vision - Councils for Gender Equity program in October 2012 and Council’s Employee Survey in February 2013). This report recommends that the consultation now take place. SUSTAINABILITY STATEMENT The sustainability implications are of a minor nature and as such did not warrant a detailed assessment. DETAIL Consultation Options In order to consult staff and Councillors on gender equity issues, staff undertook some


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research to identify existing surveys which could be utilized or adapted to suit Council’s needs. During this process, a number of organisations from diverse backgrounds were consulted, including:

50:50 Vision - Council’s for Gender Equity; ALGWA; Australian Government’s Workplace Gender Equality Agency; United Nations Women (the United Nations entity for gender equality and the

empowerment of women); Australian Human Resources Institute (Gender Equity in the Workplace Research

Report); and Queensland Government’s Gender Analysis Toolkit.

All of the organisations had either a survey, a set of principles or a toolkit which could be used or adapted to consult staff. Only two organisations had a survey suitable for Councillors:

1. 50:50 Vision - Council’s for Gender Equity; and 2. ALGWA.

Note: 50:50 Vision - Council’s for Gender Equity uses the same survey for staff and Councillors. Discussion One of the distinguishing characteristics of each survey is the audience for which it is intended, shown in the following table. Table: Survey Target Audiences Survey Target Audience United Nation’s Women’s Empowerment Principles Private Sector Workplace Gender Equality Agency’s Employee Opinion Survey Private Sector Australian Human Resources Institute’s Gender Equity Report HR Professionals Queensland Government’s Gender Analysis Toolkit Queensland Public Service 50:50 Vision - Council’s for Gender Equity’s Sample Survey Local Government ALGWA Survey Local Government Only two of the surveys were designed specifically for local government. The first of these two is a survey from 50:50 Vision - Council’s for Gender Equity (which uses the same survey for staff and Councillors), which is shown on the following page:


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Figure 1 50:50 Vision - Council’s for Gender Equity’s Sample Survey

Compared to the ALGWA’s survey (the second survey designed for local government), it is a relatively simple survey. ALGWA’s survey was therefore selected as a good model to use at North Sydney Council for the following reasons:

It was the only survey which comprehensively addressed both staff and Councillors; It was applicable to the NSW local government context; Its findings helped shape the strategies which resulted in ALGWA establishing the

50:50 Vision - Council’s for Gender Equity Program; and It will allow us to compare our results with other councils that completed the survey

in 2006 and 2009. Council officers have since adapted the two surveys (one for staff and one for Councillors) for use at North Sydney Council (Attachment 1 and 2). The surveys are set up ready for online distribution, subject to approval by Council. The online survey tool selected allows the survey can be completed online in confidence. Confidence is an issue which may prevent some people from answering openly and honestly without fear. This is important if we are to obtain the clearest picture of any gender equity issues which may need to be address by North Sydney Council. Participants are not required to provide any identifiable data in the survey. Hard copies will be also made available to those staff who do not have computer access. Once the survey has closed, the data will be analyzed and a report will be presented to Council recommending how the identified issues should be addressed.

2013 - Gender Equity Survey - Councillors2013 - Gender Equity Survey - Councillors2013 - Gender Equity Survey - Councillors2013 - Gender Equity Survey - Councillors

Introduction North Sydney Council is proud to be participating in a new program called ‘50:50 Vision – Councils For Gender Equity’. This accredited national program is an initiative of the Australian Local Government Women’s Association. It is designed to identify and address any gender equity issues which may exist within a council, particularly the underrepresentation of women at senior management levels and elected representative levels. Research has shown that around one quarter of Councillors, one fifth of Mayors, one tenth of senior managers and one twelfth of CEOs in Australian local government are women (Women in Local Government Strategy 20092012). To better understand the extent and nature of any gender equity issues which may currently exist at North Sydney Council, we would appreciate you taking 10 minutes of your time to complete the following survey. The survey has been adapted from the Australian Local Government Women’s Association survey which resulted in the 50:50 Vision Council's for Gender Equity Program being established. Using this survey will allow our results to be compared against the results from other Australian councils who were surveyed in 2006 and 2009. A separate survey is being run for staff. It is also based on the Australian Local Government Women’s Association's survey (staff questions). Confidentiality You are encouraged to answer the questions as openly and honestly as possible as this will provide us with the clearest picture of the gender equity issues which need to be addressed at North Sydney Council. You are not required to enter any personal information in the survey and all responses will be collated to provide a picture for the elected representatives as a whole. The data provided will be analysed by Council's Social Planner (Russell Wolfe), who will draft a report to Council on the findings. When is the deadline for completing the survey? Monday, 18 November 2013 Please click on the Next button to begin.


1. What is your gender?

Female

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Male

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2. As a Councillor, are financial considerations an issue for you?

3. Which financial considerations are an issue for you?

Yes

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No

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Inadequate remuneration

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Taxation status as employees with no super

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Need for travel allowances

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Provision of child care allowances

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Other

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Other (please specify)

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4. Time demands can be an issue for all Councillors in local government Are time demands an issue for you?

5. Which time demands are an issue for you?

Yes

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No

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Balancing public life with family life

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Reading requirements

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Committee requirements

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Inflexible meeting times

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Demands to be available to the community

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No administrative support

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Other

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Other (please specifiy)

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6. Information and support about election processes are important Is a lack of information and support an election issue for you?

7. What information and support about elections do you need?

Yes

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No

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How to run an election campaign

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The cost of the election campaign

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Dealing with voting procedures

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Dealing with preferences

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Use of networks

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Other

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8. Adequate training and confidence to do the job are essential to be an effective Councillor Is training and confidence building an issue for you?

9. What training would assist you (choose all that apply)?

Yes

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No

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Media training

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Public speaking

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Assertiveness

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Using meeting and formal procedures

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Roles and responsibilities

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Local government financial management

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Governance matters

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Managing conflict

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Other

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10. In your role as a Councillor, are there any support issues you would like to see addressed? (choose all that apply).

Briefings outside meeting times

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Access to staff

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Administrative assistance

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Training of Councillors on matters of protocol

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Other

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11. Some Councillors experience difficulties due to their gender being used against them. Are gender matters an issue for you?

12. Have you experienced any of the following gender matters at Council? (choose all that apply).

Yes

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No

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Harassment and bullying

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Sexist remarks in meetings

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Informal decision making outside of meetings

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Other

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Please comment

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13. As an elected representative what is the main issue facing you in local government? (Choose only one)

Financial

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Time

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Information and support

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Training and confidence building

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General Manager and senior staff support

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Gender matters

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14. Is there anything else you would like to tell us on Gender Equity at North Sydney Council?

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2013 - Gender Equity Survey - Staff2013 - Gender Equity Survey - Staff2013 - Gender Equity Survey - Staff2013 - Gender Equity Survey - Staff

Introduction North Sydney Council is proud to be participating in a new program called ‘50:50 Vision – Councils For Gender Equity’. This accredited national program is an initiative of the Australian Local Government Women’s Association. It is designed to identify and address gender equity issues which may exist within a council, particularly the underrepresentation of women at senior management levels and elected representative levels. Research has shown that around one quarter of Councillors, one fifth of Mayors, one tenth of senior managers and one twelth of CEOs in Australian local government are women (Women in Local Government Strategy 20092012). To better understand the extent and nature of any gender equity issues which may currently exist at North Sydney Council, we would appreciate you taking 10 minutes of your time to complete the following survey. The survey has been adapted from the Australian Local Government Women’s Association’s survey which resulted in the 50:50 Vision Council's for Gender Equity Program being established. Using this survey will allow our results to be compared against the results from other Australian councils who were surveyed in 2006 and 2009. A separate survey is being run for Councillors. Confidentiality You are encouraged to answer the questions as openly and honestly as possible as this will provide us with the clearest picture of the gender equity issues which need to be addressed at North Sydney Council. You are not required to enter any personal information in the survey and all responses will be collated to provide a picture for the employees as a whole. The data provided will be analysed by Council's Social Planner (Russell Wolfe), who will draft a report to Council on the findings. When is the deadline for completing the survey? Monday, 18 November 2013 Please click on the Next button to begin.


1. What is your gender?

Female

nmlkj

Male

nmlkj


2. Do you think that your gender has a positive, negative or neutral impact on your current position?

Positive

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Neutral

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Negative

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Comments

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3. Do you think that your gender has a positive, negative or neutral impact on your future opportunities with North Sydney Council?

Positive

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Neutral

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Negative

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Comments

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4. Do you aspire to a more senior position at North Sydney Council or elsewhere?

Yes

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No

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What do you need to achieve this goal?

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5. Have you encountered any of the following job selection issues at North Sydney Council? Tick all that apply.

Lack of support to prepare job applications

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Lack of your gender representation on interview panels

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Biased job descriptions

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Lack of recognition of prior experience

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Lack of career structures

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Tenure problems with funded positions

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Process and content of performance appraisals

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Lack of part time work in senior positions

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Lack of opportunity to work from home

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Other

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Please comment

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6. Adequate training and confidence to do the job are essential to be an effective staff member. Are either of these areas an issue for you?

7. What training would assist you? Tick all that apply.

Yes

nmlkj

No

nmlkj

Media training

gfedc

Public speaking

gfedc

Assertiveness

gfedc

Using meeting and formal procedures

gfedc

Roles and responsibiilities

gfedc

Local government financial management

gfedc

Governance matters

gfedc

Managing conflict

gfedc

Other

gfedc

Please comment

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8. The culture of local government is said to be male domintated. Does the workplace culture at North Sydney Council need to change to be more inclusive of women?

9. What cultural practices do you find problematic at North Sydney Council?

Yes

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No

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Decision making styles

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Confrontational language and communication

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Being undervalued in the workplace

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Being excluded from the deciison making arena

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Culture of competition

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Other

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Please comment

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10. Some workers can experience difficulties due to gender being used against them. Have you experienced or observed this at North Sydney Council?

11. Of the following gender matters, which have you experienced or observed at North Sydney Council?

Yes

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No

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Harassment and bullying

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Sexist remarks in meetings

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Code of Conduct not being enforced

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Informal decision making outside of meetings

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Other

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Please comment

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12. Family friendly policies are important for staff to participate in the workforce. Are you satisfied with the family friendly policies implemented at North Sydney Council?

13. Which of the following family friendly policies need to be reviewed or introduced?

Yes

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No

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Flexible working hours for managers

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Part time positions at manager level

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Job sharing for managers and team leaders

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Provision for working from home

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Child care provision

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Child care provision for night meetings and work

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Access to carers leave

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Other

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Please comment

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14. Have you had the opportunity to access higher duty positions when more senior staff are away?

15. What is your age?

16. Is there anything else you would like to tell us on Gender Equity at North Sydney Council?

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Yes

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No

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18 to 24

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25 to 34

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35 to 44

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45 to 54

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55 to 64

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65 to 74

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75 or older

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