Premier calls for equality
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk spoke of the importance of female representation on government boards at the sixth edition of Women on Boards in Cairns on Friday.
“I want to see a Queensland where communities far and wide are represented on Queensland boards and in our parliament,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
She called for more women in senior executive roles and lauded those who were breaking the glass ceiling, such as Queensland’s first female police commissioner, Katarina Carroll, and Qantas chief executive Vanessa Hudson.
“The newspapers noticed two things – that she was a mother of two and that she was going to be paid 25 per cent less than the man she replaces,” the Premier said.
While hoping for a future where Ms Hudson would be treated on par with departing chief executive Alan Joyce, the Premier also brought to attention how a request for 50 per cent representation of women on the Olympic and Paralympics Board was almost unmet.
“Having gender parity is just one way that our state’s diversity can be reflected in those leadership roles,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
In her address, AttorneyGeneral and Minister for Women, Shannon Fentiman highlighted the government’s commitment to increasing diversity by being the first cabinet to have more than 50 per cent of women in its cabinet.
“You can’t be what you can’t see, and that is why we are committed to closing the gaps, increasing diversity and empowering women to participate in maledominated industries, in boardrooms and throughout the workplace,” Ms Fentiman said.
“I encourage women to visit the Queensland Register of Nominees to put themselves forward for a role with a Queensland government body.”
A panel discussion with board leaders Sarah Zeljko, chair of Energy Queensland, Melia Benn, a barrister at Endeavour Chambers, JulieAnn Lambourne, from Tagai Management Consultants, and Jacinta Reddan, Advance Cairns chief executive, followed.
“Don’t ever underestimate your voice that you are bringing on a national level,” Ms Lambourne said.