More Australian Women Needed On Boards

Australian businesses are failing to tap the leadership potential of almost half the workforce by not employing enough women in senior positions, a new report has found.

The Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women’s Issues, Julie Bishop, today said the report highlighted the need for businesses to reduce the significant gender inequality in Australia’s boardrooms.

“The Australian Census of Women in Leadership report found that while women made up more than 44 per cent of our labour force, the number of women in leadership positions is well below pro rata levels,” Minister Bishop said.

“The report found a small increase in the number of women on private sector board directorships, from 8.2 per cent to 8.7 per cent, which is encouraging but more needs to be done.

“It is pleasing to see more women are being recognised for their qualities and skills in the workplace, as many have typically been excluded from positions which have considerable influence over the direction of business, economy and public policy.

“Recently, the Coalition Government, along with States and Territory Governments, completed a national strategy to increase the participation of women on boards and further improve women’s representation within the public and private sectors.

“The National Strategy to Increase the Participation of Women on Boards aims to increase awareness and availability of qualified women and generate more demand for women on boards.”

Visit Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency’s for more information on the Australian Census of Women in Leadership report