Page 395 - Week 02 - Thursday, 8 March 2007
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The government recognises that men still outnumber women in leadership roles across all sectors in the ACT. Without representation women have less ability to influence public policy. However, it must be noted that there has been an increase of roughly 4.5 per cent in the number of women taking up executive positions in ACT public service since the government came to power.
The Office for Women also operates a program of scholarships for women to attend a course in company directorship with the Australian Institute of Company Directors. This program supports the objective of representation and recognition of women, as identified in the ACT women’s plan. It aims to develop the knowledge, skills and abilities of women in the ACT who are, or aspire to be, in high level, decision making roles.
In addition, the ACT government agencies are required to consult with the Office for Women regarding suitable women candidates when seeking membership to ACT government boards and committees in order to achieve of goal of 50 per cent representation for women. Through the ACT women’s register, women in the ACT are able to register their interest in ACT government boards and committees. The register aims to increase participation by women from a range of backgrounds and ages in the decision making process.
Another important initiative that addresses inequality for women is the payroll tax exemption to private sector employers who grant paid maternity leave, primary carer or adoption leave of up to 14 weeks, as is the case in the public sector. The ACT government is committed to promoting gender equity and restoring balance and fairness for women in the ACT. The ACT also has the honour of claiming the first Australian female head of government. Rosemary Follett was elected Chief Minister in 1989.
As I mentioned, I would like to discuss two important reports that have been released in the past week concerning gender equity. Firstly, the ANU has released a report entitled How well does Australian democracy serve Australian women? This report examines the extent to which Australian democracy has promoted gender equity. The report considered a number of key issues in the provision of gender equity: the legislative framework that is intended to eliminate discrimination against women; the history and current functioning of the policy machinery that was developed in order to monitor the impact of public policy on women; the level of representation of women in Australia’s parliaments, on public sector boards, in local government and in the judiciary; and the degree to which women’s non-government organisations are consulted with, have access to, and are supported in their relationships with government.
Regretfully, the report did not contain positive findings for gender equity in Australia. Australia used to be at the forefront of the fight for gender equity. However, in recent years, particularly under the Howard government, many of the achievements of the past have now been undone and Australia has regressed in its efforts to achieve gender equality. The legislative framework to guard against gender discrimination has remained largely intact. However, the ANU report found that the legislative
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