More Queensland women needed in leadership roles

A program of events encouraging Queensland women to pursue leadership and management roles particularly across male dominated industries and sectors will be held later this year.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the new women in leadership events in Parliament today to be held at key locations in North, West and South East Queensland.

“In our modern world, women’s voices must be heard at every level including in Governments, workplaces and communities,” the Premier said.

“Because the more women at the table – the more you change the conversation.

“It’s not acceptable that women make up half of Queensland’s population but do not share equal representation in leadership roles.

“For example, less than 33 per cent of ASX 200 company board positions are occupied by women.

“And while women make up half of the private sector workforce, only 18.3 per cent of women are CEOs and 32.5 per cent hold key management positions in the sector.

“We want to encourage community and corporate organisations, and non-government boards to set their own targets for gender parity and broader diversity in leadership.”

The Premier said her government set gender equity targets in 2015 when the number of women on government boards was just 31 per cent.

“54 per cent of Queensland Government board positions are now occupied by women,” the Premier said.

“We have also supported women to thrive as leaders in business, through the Mentoring for Growth program, the Advancing Women in Business initiative and the Advance Queensland Female Founders program.

"We have inspired women to pursue excellence and leadership in a range of fields such as women in STEM, Women in Media, Women in Music and Women in Mining and Resources but we know more needs to be done, particularly in the private sector.

“We must continue to encourage gender parity on boards and in leadership positions across all industries and areas of our community.

“My government is opening the doors to women in decision-making roles and inviting them to be part of the process determining Queensland’s future.”

Further details of the events will be released at a later date.

ENDS

Media contact: Zoe Russell – 0439 982 347