Labor Achieves Record Level of Representation on Australian Government Boards

A new report shows that Federal Labor has surpassed its 40:40:20 gender representation target for Australian Government boards two years ahead of schedule.

“Women now hold 41.7 per cent of Australian Government board positions, up over three per cent on last year,” Minister for Community Services Julie Collins said.

“In 2010, Labor committed to a target of a minimum of 40 per cent representation of women on Australian Government boards by 2015.

“We set this target because we know that gender balance on boards improves governance, leads to better informed public policy and stronger economic outcomes.”

The Gender Balance on Australian Government Boards 2012-13 Report shows that women now hold 1685 of the 4039 board positions on the 460 federal government boards and bodies.

This represents a 3.3 per cent increase on 2011-12.

Of the 1069 new appointments to Australian Government boards made in the past year, women represented 47.6 per cent and men represented 52.4 per cent.

“Supporting women into leadership positions ensures that we as a nation maximise the potential of over half of our population,” Senator Wong said.

Since 2007, this Labor Government has driven a range of ambitious initiatives to improve the number of women in leadership positions, including a $4.3 million investment in BoardLinks.

“BoardLinks helps to increase female representation on boards by identifying board-ready women and providing a springboard for them to secure board experience on Australian Government boards,” Senator Wong said.

“Labor knows that ensuring women have the opportunity to participate equally in all aspects of business, public and community life is how we can guarantee a strong and prosperous future for Australia.”