Legislative Council Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3) 51 3 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Question Time Premier's Women's Directory PREMIER'S WOMEN'S DIRECTORY The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA Legislative Council PREMIER'S WOMEN'S DIRECTORY The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:30): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for the Status of Women a question regarding the Premier's Women's Directory. Leave granted. The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA Legislative Council The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA: South Australia's Strategic Plan has a target which aims to achieve 50 per cent representation of women on government boards and committees. The Premier's Women's Directory was established to assist with meeting this target. Will the minister provide more information on the Premier's Women's Directory? The Hon. G.E. GAGO Legislative Council Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy) (15:30): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. The Premier's Women's Directory is indeed a very dynamic online database of South Australian women who are ready to serve on boards and committees. It was established in 2004 to assist in establishing a gender balance on boards and committees in South Australia and to achieve goals set out in the South Australian Strategic Plan. I am proud to say that the directory has the CVs, and it has just hit over the 600 mark, Mr President, which I know you are personally pleased and delighted about; I can tell by the expression of delight on your face. An honourable member interjecting: The Hon. G.E. GAGO Legislative Council The Hon. G.E. GAGO: He is nodding; he is impressed; I have impressed him. We have hit the 600 mark, with 600 very talented South Australian women. The directory has been proven to be a highly practical and mutually beneficial resource, and I encourage organisations to take advantage of this database of board-ready South Australian women, in both the private and the public sectors. The South Australian government is committed to promoting the percentage of women in all areas of decision-making. We want to be at the forefront of encouraging women's leadership, and we want to ensure it applies to all South Australian women no matter their location, ethnicity or background. Women in this state should reach their full potential, and that is why this government has set targets in our strategic plan for women's leadership. South Australia has a proud history of women's achievements and remains at the forefront of setting clear and strong targets for balanced gender representation on government boards and committees. As a result of the Rann government's commitment to women's leadership as well as the high quality of women listed on the Premier's Women's Directory, South Australia has become a national leader for women on government boards and committees. At 1 November 2008 women held 44.97 per cent of positions on government boards and committees. This represents an increase from 34.68 per cent at 1 April 2004, following the release of the South Australian Strategic Plan. These numbers provide a stark contrast with the very dark days of the previous Liberal government, during which the percentage of women on boards was only slightly over 30 per cent, which is a disgrace. Also at 1 November 2008, women held 33.94 per cent of chaired positions on boards and committees, and this represents an increase of women as chairs from 24 per cent at 1 April 2004, following the release of the strategic plan. The Rann Labor government is committed to ensuring that women are not overlooked for leadership positions because of their gender. Through hard work and initiatives like the Premier's Women's Directory this government intends to set the bar in South Australia for balance on boards and committees.