MORE WOMEN ON GOVERNMENT BOARDS

The Beattie Government has shown its commitment to having more women in leadership roles by launching a Women on Boards strategy.

Minister for Women Margaret Keech today encouraged government agencies to seriously consider ways to improve their gender balance on boards.

“The annual Australian Census of Women in Leadership found that among ASX200 companies, only 2 per cent of chairs and 8.7 per cent of board directors are women,” she said.

“According to several measures, Australia is trailing behind comparable nations such as the UK, the USA and Canada. This is unacceptable.”

Mrs Keech said she would take the lead by filling two Tourism Queensland Board vacancies with women.

“Recent research suggests that getting more women on boards is not only a matter of equity, but is necessary for companies and organisations to compete in an increasingly global and diversified market,” she said.

“For women, board experience provides valuable leadership input while providing role models to emerging leaders.

“For boards, women can contribute to diversity in the board room by adding different perspectives and approaches. These can have positive outcomes in terms of marketing, profitability and company reputation.”

Mrs Keech encouraged women across all industries, especially in science, technology, primary, engineering and mining industries, to consider government board positions.

“Being a board director not only gives a woman a greater voice in decision-making, it allows her to positively influence the social and economic well-being of all Queenslanders,” she said.

The Beattie Government’s Office for Women is implementing the strategy, which will actively recruit women and build their skills so they are board ready and require government departments to demonstrate a balanced gender mix on government boards.

“While the Beattie Government is doing reasonably well to have around 34 per cent of all appointments as women – we are aiming for 50 per cent,” Mrs Keech said.

“The filling of the Tourism Queensland Board vacancies with women will double the representation of women.”

Information for women considering board nomination, along with information for boards, can be found at www.women.qld.gov.au/womenonboards or call 1800 177 577.

Media contact: Jo Gibbons 3224 2007