New gender equality panel to advise Government

The Minister for the Status of Women, Kate Ellis MP has officially launched the Australian Government’s new Gender Panel at Parliament House in Canberra.

The Gender Panel has been established to ensure that Australian Government policy and programs continue to benefit Australian women and men equally.

While addressing parliamentarians and senior public servants at an International Women’s Day celebration today, Ms Ellis said that the Australian Government is committed to making sure that policies and programs reflect the needs of both genders.

“The new Gender Panel will work to improve gender expertise across all Australian Government departments and agencies,” Ms Ellis said.

“The Gender Panel consists of 38 organisations and individuals who can provide expert advice to the Government on who we can make our policies, programs administrative processes better serve women.”

“I am confident that with the expertise offered by panel members, the Australian Government will be able to continue delivering on our strong commitment to gender equality. “

The gender experts will offer a range of services, including research, evaluation, training, provision of policy advice and the development of educational materials.

Ms Ellis said that the Gender Panel is an important step towards ensuring that a gender lens is applied throughout the work of the Government and will be a valuable new resource for public servants and politicians.

For further information and advice about the using the Gender Panel, please email the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs at gender.panel@fahcsia.gov.au.

Agencies will be able to procure panel services through the FaHCSIA website at www.fahcsia.gov.au/sa/women/progserv.