Media Release by The Hon Kate Ellis MP

Minister names new Director for Equal Opportunity Agency

Minister for the Status of Women, Kate Ellis has today announced the appointment of Ms Helen Conway as the new Director of the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA).

“After an extensive competitive selection process, which attracted many impressive candidates, I am delighted to announce that Ms Conway has accepted the role of Director of EOWA. She will take up this position on 27 April 2011,” Ms Ellis said.

Ms Conway comes to this role with impressive professional and legal credentials and has held senior leadership positions across Corporate Australia. She was most recently the General Manager of the Office of the CEO, Company Secretary and General Counsel for the Caltex Australia Group.

Prior to joining Caltex, Ms Conway was the General Counsel for Airservices Australia and Group Secretary and General Counsel for the NRMA Group. She has also worked as a lawyer in private practice, including seven years as a partner.

Ms Conway has also held a number of community-related and government appointments over the years, including the position of Senior Judicial Member of the New South Wales Equal Opportunity Tribunal.

“I look forward to working closely with Ms Conway and with Australian businesses to further the Government’s agenda to achieve equality between women and men in Australian workplaces.”  Ms Ellis said.

Later today Minister Ellis will address the National Press Club in Canberra and outline a suite of reforms to the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency to improve its effectiveness and relevance.

Ms Ellis said that Ms Conway would provide strong leadership during the significant period of reform that is ahead.

“Ms Conway will be charged with implementing a more contemporary and coherent approach to achieving economic equality between women and men.”

“EOWA is a key part of the Government’s plans to improve choices for women and men and better utilising the significant untapped productivity potential in women’s workforce participation,” Ms Ellis said.