SHE LEADS CONFERENCE

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (15:08): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for the Status of Women a question about the YWCA.

Leave granted.

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: The Adelaide YWCA's SHE Leads Conference is a full-day event focused on leadership and will be held in August 2013. My question to the minister is: can she advise the chamber how the government is supporting the YWCA's SHE Leads Conference scholarships?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (15:08): I thank the honourable member for her most important question. The YWCA SHE Leads Conference was first held in 2012, and I am advised that it received such positive feedback that it is being held again in 2103. The conference aims to encourage women to take the next step in their professional and personal leadership journey.

The conference will include speeches from women who are currently in or have previously held leadership positions. I am advised that this year the conference participants will hear from guest speakers such as public speaking expert Sharon Ferrier; Australia's first Global Ambassador for Women and Girls, Penny Williams; and the ABC Lateline presenter, Emma Alberici. The conference participants will also hear lectures on practical skills for leadership and, just as importantly, be able to participate in a fantastic networking opportunity. The conference provides a forum for like-minded young women of South Australia to come together and share ideas, advice and form new support structures.

To ensure that all women have equal access to attend the conference, the YWCA provides scholarships to women who otherwise may not be able to attend for financial reasons. A priority criterion is placed on young women who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander or are from a CALD background, have a disability or live in rural or remote South Australia. The Weatherill government is very pleased to support important initiatives such as this and believes in working to ensure that an individual's financial situation is not going to be a hindrance to accessing education and training opportunities.

I am very pleased today to be able to inform the chamber that the Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion (Hon. Tony Piccolo) and I are providing scholarship support for 10 young women to attend the YWCA of Adelaide's 2013 SHE Leads conference, and I would like to acknowledge that several members of parliament have made financial contributions to ensure that scholarship places are available. I would also like to recognise that the Hon. Kelly Vincent has offered her support to this most important initiative and I certainly commend her for that.

I am advised that in 2013, the YWCA SHE Leads conference will be held on Friday 16 August at the National Wine Centre and nominations for scholarships are now open. They will close on Friday 24 May. I am advised that successful applicants will be informed in mid-June 2013. I encourage all those who are eligible to apply.

Members might recall that there have been numerous other initiatives that the South Australian government has been part of in this area. Along with the recent AICD scholarships announced by the Premier and me, the government has also supported rural women's leadership through funding initiatives that will build the leadership and representative capacity of women and girls living and working in rural, regional and remote communities.

On 6 March this year I was pleased to present the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Rural Women's Award. This is a very important award that supports women with leadership potential who have the desire and commitment to make a greater contribution to the industry and their community. The winner, Miss Anna Hooper, received a $10,000 bursary provided by RIRDC to implement a vision for their industry and support the winner's professional development through formal business management training, the establishment of business plans or designing initiatives like pilot programs.

Anna, along with the runner-up, Dr Mardi Longbottom, also received a one-week residential Australian Institute of Company Directors' course to enhance their leadership capabilities. The course teaches the critical skills required about the duties and roles of board membership along with skills in risk management, strategy development, and organisational and financial performance.

This is just another example of the Weatherill government ensuring that prospects to learn new abilities, undertake skills development and participate in training and conference opportunities are available to all South Australians regardless of gender or socioeconomic status. The government continues to work towards an equitable society with the benefits shared across our community.