Bligh Government planning for the future of Queensland women

The Bligh Government is mapping out the future for Queensland women as the state moves Toward Q2, says Minister for Women Margaret Keech.

Mrs Keech today announced a full review of the Office for Women, designed to provide a blueprint for the future of women’s policy in Queensland.

“This review is about reaching our Toward Q2 goal of a fairer Queensland,” Mrs Keech said.

“This review will set the direction of women’s policy and map out how the Office for Women can best help Queensland meet the Premier’s ambitious 2020 targets.

“Issues such as pay equity, financial literacy and getting a fair deal for women in the workplace have always been a strong focus of the Office for Women.

“This review will look at new, innovative ways we can address disadvantage and provide a long term plan to ensure we keep looking over the horizon to deal with issues affecting Queensland women.

“We’ll also be looking at ways the Office for Women can help make Queensland stronger, greener, smarter and healthier.

“Expanding the capability and opportunity for all women to enjoy good health, to be literate and to participate in society will help shape tomorrow’s Queensland.”

Mrs Keech said the review would look at the changing needs of Queensland women.

“This is a chance for Queensland women to have a say about the issues affecting them and how we as a government can help address those issues,” she said.

“This will be developed by Queensland women, for Queensland women.

“This is another way the Bligh Government is working in partnership with the community to deliver what Queenslanders need now and into the future.”

The announcement came as Mrs Keech hosted the annual Ministerial Conference for the Status of Women, to be held in Brisbane.

“There are a number of vital issues on the agenda, including pay equity and the Productivity Commission’s maternity leave proposal,” she said.

“It’s vital that we work together at a national level to respond to some of the challenges facing women today.”

Mrs Keech today also officially launched a new Statistical Snapshot designed to provide an overview of how Queensland women are travelling in a number of key areas.

The snapshot, produced by the Bligh Government’s Office for Women, shows a number of improvements in key areas including women’s representation in the legal fraternity, in business and on boards, she said.

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Media contact: Jo Crompton 3224 7081