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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-05-03 Daily Xml
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WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP, INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (15:07): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for the Status of Women a question about the young international students leadership event held here in Adelaide recently.

Leave granted.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: South Australia's international education industry is a local success story. I believe a high proportion of the students are women, many of whom go on to great success after their studies here in Adelaide. I understand that many reach positions of high achievement in their chosen field and many go on to occupy leadership positions in their society. Educating women, as we have seen in our own history, is a powerful force for progressive social change—change for the better. Will the minister advise what has been done to encourage our international women students to aspire to leadership positions in their field of study and in their community?

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) (15:08): On 15 April, it was my responsibility as Minister for the Status of Women to host a women in leadership event for young international students here at Parliament House. This event was organised by StudyAdelaide, the organisation charged with developing and expanding South Australia's share of the national education export market. Funded in part by the state government, StudyAdelaide promotes our city as a centre of education excellence and highlights the many advantages for international students who choose to live, study and work here.

I was very pleased to accept the chance to speak to this gathering of women, because it is my job to encourage women to take up leadership roles both now and in the future, regardless of where these women's lives may take them after completing their education. This is part of a regular series of events in which international students are exposed to aspects of South Australian life that reveal values and ideas that are likely to help them achieve their own leadership dreams.

It was with some pride that I was able to tell them that they have come to an Australian state with a unique record in recognising the rights of women. South Australia was the first colony in Australia and the fourth place in the world where women gained the vote. In 1894, when all adult women were given the right to vote, there was no restriction on age or marital status, unlike other countries where women had the vote and there were all sorts of restrictions that were put in place. So we were fairly unique in that respect.

In fact, since 1861, women who owned property and paid council rates had the right to vote in local council elections. Women were also given the right to stand for parliament in 1895 and, of course, South Australia was the first place in the world to grant this particular right. Whilst most of us involved in the parliamentary process in this place know and accept these facts as part of our political furniture, describing this history to women for whom such changes are much more recent was very thought-provoking for them.

As I looked out across a sea of very eager, bright young faces gathered from countries and cultures all around the globe, I was reminded that we have a responsibility to continue our history of progressive reform, to continue the campaign for equity for women that began more than a century ago, and to continue it undiminished.

So it was, indeed, very satisfying to be able to tell this wonderful collection of women that they have come to a place that respects women's rights and believes profoundly in their potential as leaders of our community. It is obviously good to believe in that principle, but it is even better to act on it and ensure it happens.

International education is now South Australia's second-largest export earner and one of its most important industries. The sector generates more than $1 billion and supports something like 6,500 jobs, and there are 34,000 international students in Adelaide, of which about half are women. They know us as a safe, affordable city in which to live and work and that the local community is friendly and welcoming.

However, there is more to it than that. We are part of a bigger picture in which we support the decision of young women who have so much to contribute to the world to further their education. The stories and experiences that they bring here and the knowledge they take with them enrich us all, and we stand by them in their endeavours. I commend StudyAdelaide for organising what was not only an extremely enjoyable but also a really inspiring occasion.

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