Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has called for more women in Toowoomba and across the Darling Downs region to step into the boardroom at all levels of the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.
Speaking at the Premier’s Women on Boards initiative event in Toowoomba – the first in regional Queensland - Ms Palaszczuk addressed the community and board-ready women to explain why equality in the boardroom would lead to positive economic outcomes.
The regional event which was attended by around 120 people, follows on from the first-ever Premier’s Women on Boards event held in Brisbane last month.
"My government is leading by example, there are around 50 per cent of women in my Cabinet but as a community there is more work to do," the Premier said.
"This is such an important event to hold in regional Queensland because there are so many talented women living in our regional centres – and we want to harness that.
"In 2016, a report commissioned by my Government’s Office for Women established a case for gender parity on boards, saying it would enhance performance at boardroom, leadership and organisational levels and, by extension, improve the economy.
"The report quantified this through economic modelling, predicting parity would lead to $87 million in annual productivity gains for Queensland, without additional workers or extra hours.
"In other words, a lack of parity at board level would lead to the loss of potential organisation performance and economic growth and hinder Queensland’s development, which is why my Government launched the Women on Boards initiative as part of our five-year Women’s Strategy."
The Palaszczuk Government used the regional event to announce Toowoomba’s Jo Sheppard would be appointed to the board of Sunwater.
"Jo is the CEO of the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce and former Mayor of Paroo Shire and will make a stellar addition to the Sunwater team," the Premier said.
"Having regional women on our boards is so important and I encourage anyone considering getting involved to do so."
Queensland Government bodies have gender diversity targets for 50 per cent representation of women on boards by 2020. At June this year, 46 per cent of Queensland Government board positions were occupied by women. Women have represented 49 per cent of all new Queensland Government board appointments since July 2015.
Minister for Women Di Farmer said it was wonderful to see so many women at today’s event.
"The Women on Boards initiative will increase the number of potential boardroom candidates through mentoring and supporting women who have the capability to break through the glass ceiling, and when this has been achieved we must facilitate more opportunities for women to step into the boardroom," Ms Farmer said.
"We have been working in partnership with the private and not-for-profit sectors to expedite gender diversity, with the Office for Women taking the lead, supported by the Women on Boards Strategic Advisory Group.
"My message to board-ready women is clear. This is your time. Help us shape the future of Queensland."
