Women across Far North Queensland encouraged to get on board

• The Palaszczuk Government is encouraging Queensland women to join the board of a government body through its sixth Women on Boards event.
• More than 150 women are participating, with a four-person panel of leaders.
• Women make up 53 per cent of all Queensland Government board positions

More than 150 board-ready women from across Far North Queensland are participating in the Palaszczuk Government’s sixth Women on Boards event, held in Cairns today. 

This event is hosted by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in a bid to advance gender equality in boardrooms across Queensland.

It comes as the government continues to promote the states Women’s Strategy, which aims to strengthen and support the rights of Queensland women and girls.  

An exciting panel of women will present to attendees, including:

• Sarah Zeljko - Chair, Energy Queensland
• Melia Benn - Barrister, Endeavour Chambers
• Julie-Ann Lambourne - Senior Consultant, Tagai Management Consultants, and
• Jacinta Reddan - Chief Executive Officer, Advance Cairns.

Each holding a board leadership position, panellists will inspire and inform attendees by sharing their experiences, and encourage them to get on boards.  

At the start of 2023, women made up 53 per cent of all Government bodies, representing an increase of 22 per cent since 2015 when the Palaszczuk Government took office.

The Palaszczuk Government’s 2022 Gender Equality Report Cards show just over 17 per cent of chief executives and managing directors in Queensland are female.

The Premier encouraged board-ready women to register for leadership positions with Queensland Government bodies through the Queensland Register of Nominees.

Quotes attributable to Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk:

“I want to see a Queensland where communities far and wide are represented on Queensland boards and in our parliament.

“Having gender parity is just one way that our states diversity can be reflected in those leadership roles.

“I’m passionate about putting women at the forefront, which is why our government will continue to host these empowering events, and to invest in the areas that matter.

“To those who have and continue to represent women on our public and private boards – thank you for breaking the glass ceiling and empowering the leaders of tomorrow.”

Quotes attributable to Attorney-General and Minister for Women, Shannon Fentiman:

“The 2022 Gender Equality Report Cards show we have made significant steps in female representation on Queensland Government Boards and we’ve seen the gender pay gap narrowed, and this Government will continue to work towards gender parity across all aspects of Queensland life.

“You can’t be what you can’t see, and that is why we are committed to closing the gaps, increasing diversity, and empowering women to participate in male-dominated industries, in boardrooms and throughout the workplace.

“It is important that more women, including from diverse backgrounds, believe there is a place for them in executive positions and in boardrooms and I encourage women to visit the Queensland Register of Nominees to put themselves forward for a role with a Queensland Government body.”

Quote attributable to Chief Executive Officer, Advance Cairns, Jacinta Reddan:

“You can’t be what you can’t see and the more women who are on boards pave the way for more women and greater diversity to follow.

“This will lead to better conversations, better decision-making and better outcomes.”

Further information:

For more information about the 2022 Gender Equality Reports Cards, visit https://www.publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/queensland-womens-strategy-2022-27-report-cards

Information about the Queensland Government’s women’s strategy is at www.qld.gov.au/womensstrategy  

ENDS

Media contact: Natarjsha Kramer – 0456 436 934