WOMEN IN HOTELS CONFERENCE

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (15:19): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for the Status of Women a question about the Women in Hotels Conference.

Leave granted.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: The Women in Hotels Conference is a biennial event bringing together women from across the South Australian hotel industry for two days to learn, share their knowledge and experiences, and develop and strengthen networks with one another. Will the minister share with honourable members any feedback that she has received on this event?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Public Sector Management, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for Gambling) (15:20): I thank the honourable member for his important question and for his interest in these matters. Indeed, I have received information about this event, as a representative from the Office for Women opened the conference on my behalf because, unfortunately, I was unable to attend, in particular due to commitments in this place.

The 13^th Women in Hotels Conference was held on 13 and 14 September at the Sebel Playford, Adelaide. This important event was attended by about 100 women, including hoteliers from across the state, and I am told that the highlight of the event was motivational key speaker Gill Hicks, a survivor of the London bombings of 2005. Gill shared her story of tragedy, challenges and triumphs.

I understand that the Women in Hotels Conference dinner was held at the Strathmore Hotel and provided a great opportunity for delegates to network with like-minded women working in this area. At the dinner, the 2011 inductees into the Women in Hotels Hall of Fame were announced, and I am pleased to advise that this year two women were inducted into that Hall of Fame: Sue Binns from the Robin Hood Hotel, and Maxine Sullivan, whose family has been involved in the hotel industry for many years.

The Women in Hotels Hall of Fame was introduced at the 2005 Women in Hotels Conference in order to recognise women who have made a very significant contribution to the South Australian hotel industry, and it is great to see women continue to be recognised in a field that is generally dominated by men. For the last 200 years women have played a huge part in the hotel industry—behind the bar, in the kitchen, in accommodation, or as publicans and licensees. Women have often been a considerable power behind the throne, so to speak, because, going back to the beginning of the last century, I understand there were times when women held nearly half all publican licences.

Each year the Women in Hotels Conference is presented and organised by the Women in Hotels Committee, comprised of women members of the Australian Hotels Association SA and representing different hotels either as owners or managers. As members are no doubt aware, the AHA is working with the Yarrow Place Rape and Sexual Assault Service, with a violence against women awareness and prevention project that has a specific focus on rape and sexual assault. This 12-month project will see Yarrow Place work with the AHA, United Voice and the Office for Women to explore the hospitality industry's role in the prevention of violence against women and to develop strategies to increase awareness of rape and sexual assault in the hospitality industry. This may include specific training programs for hospitality industry students and the inclusion of rape and sexual assault information in existing occupational health, safety and welfare training programs for the industry.

Conferences like this provide women with a powerful platform from which to redress the ongoing underrepresentation of women as hoteliers and in management levels in hospitality. I would like to congratulate the Women in Hotels Committee for facilitating yet another successful conference.