OFFICE FOR WOMEN

In reply to Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (23 October 2006) (Estimates Committee A).

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Volunteers, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister Assisting in Early Childhood Development): The Office for Women has advised me that the number of women who have participated in the 'Women @ the Board Table' training in the 2005-06 financial year is 153. This includes 36 women from the community who participated in the course through sponsorship provided by the Premier.

In 2005 an accredited 18 week women's leadership course for women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds was delivered in the Riverland.

Twenty-four women from Barmera, Berri, Renmark, Loxton and Paringa graduated from the course. The diversity of the cultural backgrounds of the participants reflects the diversity of cultures in the Riverland region. They included women from Italian, Indian, Greek, Turkish, Romanian and Russian backgrounds.