EOWA awards applaud female friendly business

Tanya Plibersek, today congratulated the 2008 Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency Business Achievement Awards winners for their work in improving professional outcomes for women.

“The EOWA Business Achievement Awards recognise and celebrate the exemplary efforts of businesses who have actively promoted equal opportunity in their organisation,” Ms Plibersek said at the awards luncheon in Melbourne.

“Ensuring a positive experience in the labour force and a fair rate of pay is important to improving the long term economic security of every working woman in Australia.

“Changing culture and ensuring more women are leaders in the private sector must also be a priority.

“Promoting women to high level positions is not just the right thing to do; it is also the smart thing to do for the health of organisations.

“Australia has made so many advancements towards women and men better sharing life at work and home, yet women still face challenges in being fully valued in the workplace.”

“The Government recognises the challenges women face in the workplace and is responding,” Ms Plibersek said.

Since coming into Government:

• We have begun reforming workplace relations laws to deliver a system that is fairer and more flexible for working parents;
• We are improving the accessibility, affordability and quality of child care; and
• We are undertaking thorough investigations into pay equity, support for parents with new born children and the adequacy of the Sex Discrimination Act.

“Ultimately, however, significant improvements in gender equality require a shift in attitude from the entire community, including business,” Ms Plibersek said.

“That’s why these awards are so important.”