Far North Queensland women urged to make their mark on Government boards

Minister for Women Margaret Keech wants to see more of Far North Queensland’s top-achieving women sitting on Government boards.

Mrs Keech will tonight meet with some of the Far North’s brightest female leaders encouraging them to join Queensland boards

“It is a fact that organisations with greater diversity on their boards have a better bottom line,” she said.

“I’m here to highlight to these potential leaders that they have the ability many Queensland boards are lacking, we need them to share their expertise.

“The region’s booming tourism, agriculture and natural resources industries present great opportunities for women to take their expertise into the boardroom.”

The women, prominent in local business and the community, will have the chance to discuss leadership opportunities and find out more about the Queensland Government’s Women on Boards strategy at a special function at the Cairns International Hotel.

“Women are integral to our local communities, they volunteer, participate in community building and are social and business entrepreneurs –there’s no doubt they have the skills and expertise to excel on boards,” Mrs Keech said.

“By being on a board, women enjoy formal leadership and decision-making roles and play a key role in shaping the Bligh Government’s Smart State strategy.”

Mrs Keech said research showed having women on boards made good business sense.

“A study by research and advisory organisation Catalyst found that companies with a higher proportion of women in leadership roles perform better financially,” Mrs Keech said.

“Women also bring greater diversity to the board room, adding different perspectives and approaches that have positive outcomes for an organisation’s effectiveness and reputation.”

The Queensland Government’s Women on Boards strategy, led by the Office for Women, supports women's leadership and aims to increase the number of women appointed to Queensland Government boards, by actively recruiting women with appropriate skills and experience.

“The Bligh Government has committed that where possible, 50 per cent of all new appointments to government boards must be women,” Mrs Keech said.

“As a result of this strategy, the proportion of women newly appointed to Queensland Government boards has been steadily rising, from 31.64 per cent in the last quarter of 2006 to 43.52 per cent in the same period of 2007. That’s a significant improvement over 12 months.”

For more information visit the Office for Women website at www.women.qld.gov.au or call 1800 177 577.

Media enquiries: Joanne Crompton 3224 7081