Asia Pacific Business Council for Women

The Hon. J.S. LEE (17:36): I move:

That this council—

1. Congratulates the Asia Pacific Business Council for Women (APBCW) for reaching the special milestone of its 30^th anniversary in 2024;

2. Recognises that the APBCW was established to provide mentoring, networking opportunities and business support to South Australian professional and business women with a special connection with the Asia-Pacific region;

3. Acknowledges the founding members, current and past presidents, committee members and volunteers of APBCW for their hard work, dedication, and contributions in fostering business opportunities, professional development and cultural exchange for its members of diverse backgrounds and industry sectors;

4. Commends the APBCW for continuously advancing the status of women in South Australia through APBCW Women of Distinction Awards and other business forums; and

5. Reflects on the journey of the Asia Pacific Business Council for Women over the last three decades and recognises contributions by women of diverse backgrounds in fostering multilateral relationships between South Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.

It is an absolute pleasure to rise today to congratulate the Asia Pacific Business Council for Women on reaching the special milestone of their 30^th anniversary. As a woman of Asian heritage and with a business background, the Asia Pacific Business Council for Women is particularly close to my heart. As the patron of the council it is a great honour to reflect on the journey of the Asia Pacific Business Council for Women over the last three decades and recognise contributions by women of diverse backgrounds in fostering multilateral relationships between South Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. I seek leave to insert the remainder of my speech in Hansard without my reading it.

Leave granted.

APBCW is a not-for-profit membership-based organisation that was established to provide mentoring, networking opportunities and business support to South Australian professional and business women with a special connection with the Asia-Pacific region.

For 30 years, the Council has been dedicated to fostering business opportunities, professional development and cultural exchange for its members of diverse backgrounds and industry sectors.

I would like to take this opportunity to firstly thank and congratulate the current president, committee members and volunteers of APBCW for their hard work and contributions to the Council. Heartfelt thanks to:

President—Laurel Qiu

Vice-President—Enya Crockford

Secretary—Audrey Lian

Treasurer—Anna Chong

Committee Members—Suppatra Hom-on, Prae Wongthong, Stella Wu, and Shirley Tan

Advisor—Cathy Chong AM

The Council had a humble beginning, established in 1994 by a small group of passionate and pioneering businesswomen, who recognised the dire lack of services or support available to South Australian professional and business women at the time.

As these founding members, including Cathy Chong AM, were migrant women from Asia-Pacific countries, they put their passion, knowledge, and connections to purpose to connect like-minded business and professional women in their new home in South Australia.

Over the last three decades, APBCW has attracted many inspiring women who generously donated their time, experience, and expertise to serve on the Council.

I wish to recognise and express my sincere appreciation to the Past Presidents of the APBCW for their leadership and dedication to championing business women in our State.

Special thanks to: Dr Tji Srikandi-Goodhart, Peggy Lau-Flux, Kim Tolotta, Susie Loh, Yvonne Rothall, Soo-Lee Chan, Dyan Francis, Gosia Hill, Teresita Sarmiento, Ning Zhang, Leah Grantham and Haley Welch.

At this point, I feel I should disclose to Honourable Members that I was honoured to serve as President of APBCW for 2 terms in 2002 and 2003. I was supported by fabulous and dynamic women on my committee and with their support, I was proud to found the APBCW Woman of Distinction Awards Program in 2003.

The APBCW Woman of Distinction is a prestigious award program that recognises outstanding women who have demonstrated strong leadership and made a significant contribution to the South Australian and Asia Pacific community. The award program aims to promote the achievements and status of professional and business women in our community.

The Woman of Distinction Awards ran successfully for a number of years and as the founder, it was very exciting to be involved in the judging panel when the Awards were reinstated as part of the APBCW's 25^th Anniversary celebrations in 2019.

The Woman of Distinction Award recognises the successful and distinguished journey of a business or professional woman who has gained the respect and admiration from her peers, industry colleagues and the community. These successful women may be high profile individuals or quiet achievers who set themselves apart through their business, philanthropic, community and professional contributions to our community.

There are so many outstanding women who have been recognised through the APBCW Woman of Distinction program over the years, and I encourage Honourable Members to head to the APBCW website to learn more about all the deserving winners.

APBCW continues to have a special interest in the Asia-Pacific region as well as having a global perspective. The Council embraces the rich diversity of South Australia as a multicultural state and the global nature of trade and cultural exchange to expand its linkages beyond the Asia Pacific.

The strength and growth potential of APBCW lies in the diversity of their members. APBCW Members come from leading organisations as well as small to medium size enterprises, from all industries and sectors.

Members include many successful professionals and prominent businesswomen as well as quiet achievers.

APBCW encourages all women interested in expanding professional connections and international markets to help each other to develop new networks and expand their business opportunities.

Over the last thirty years, successive committees have worked tirelessly to promote APBCW and bring new initiatives to the Council which have led to its long-standing accomplishments and positive outcomes for its members.

During my time as President, APBCW was awarded Highly Commended Chamber of the Year in 2003 by the Council of International Trade and Commerce of South Australia.

I also had the pleasure to lead trade missions to Malaysia, Hong Kong and Shanghai for APBCW. Many business and professional women joined these missions, building vital trade and cultural connections.

APBCW organised and led a range of Trade Missions to the Asia Pacific region, building trade and cultural connections for its members.

APBCW was a proud sponsor of the Annual SA Migrant Small Business Expo between 2016 and 2019, a fantastic initiative that was supported by the University of Adelaide to promote, inspire and educate migrants who are entrepreneurial and wish to start or expand their business.

APBCW continues to advance the status of women in South Australia through a range of services and business forums. The Council has always worked collaboratively with other not-for-profit organisations and business chambers, with members often volunteering at and supporting events hosted by multicultural and professional associations.

The Council has also hosted countless insightful and inspiring events over the years, including networking functions and business seminars with leading business women who generously share their hard-earned advice and experience with members.

Business site visits are always popular as well, giving members the opportunity to tour premises and see behind the scenes of successful local businesses making their mark on their respective industries.

An event last year at the Australian Space Discovery Centre showcased the opportunities available in the burgeoning space industry in South Australia.

I was delighted to attend the 2025 APBCW AGM and Christmas Party on 18^th November 2025. It was wonderful to come together to celebrate this significant milestone with the committee, members, and many supporters and friends of the Council.

The business landscape in South Australia has changed drastically in the thirty years since APBCW was founded and it is wonderful to see so many more opportunities available for Asian female professionals and entrepreneurs to build their connections, develop their skills and grow their careers in our State.

APBCW is a pioneering organisation with a special focus on fostering multilateral cultural and business relationships that is only becoming more relevant as our region becomes ever more interconnected.

Once again, I wish to congratulate the Asia Pacific Business Council for Women on achieving this significant milestone. It is wonderful to have this opportunity to shine a light on their work and thank all those involved over the last three decades for their dedication and contributions to our community and economy.

I wish APBCW all the very best for a very bright future ahead.

With those words, I wholeheartedly commend the motion.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. I.K. Hunter.