Women in the Workforce

The Hon. J.S. LEE (14:55): My question is to the Minister for Human Services regarding women. Can the minister provide an update to the council on how the Marshall Liberal government is enhancing economic and financial participation for South Australian women in our community?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (14:55): I thank the honourable member for her question and for her interest in this area. Indeed, I think I have spoken in this place before about our leadership and economic strategy. We have also refreshed the membership of the Premier's Council for Women in reflection of that. A number of the appointments include people who have entrepreneurial experience and small business experience. We are looking forward to them advising us in relation to our economic strategy going forward.

Consistent with this, we have released a grant program which will support economic and financial participation projects for young and our most vulnerable South Australians. This includes for this very important work for women in community projects. We have two rounds: a minor grant round of up to $10,000, which has the social impact objectives of connecting and belonging; and applications for a medium grant round of up to $25,000.

We are looking for programs which will support, as well as those cohorts that I have mentioned, services for LGBTIQA+ individuals. The minor grant round is open from 8 October to 26 November, and the medium grants round from 15 October to 12 November. I am sure that all honourable members would know of organisations that would be very much interested in participating in this particular grant round.

I have to say that, in terms of employment, I am very pleased that in South Australia we have seen such a strong return to employment, and that has included that women particularly are participating in the workforce. We have the lowest gender pay gap in the nation, so that has reduced. I think that is something that we can be very proud of, even though in the Labor leader's office the pay gap is something that they should be ashamed of.

On this side of the house, we certainly believe that women should be able to participate fully in all of the leadership and employment opportunities that they can. The minister for skills and employment is very keen on making sure that he is promoting women in non-traditional areas of employment.