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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-03-05 Daily Xml
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WOMEN IN RESOURCES AWARD

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (14:41): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for the Status of Women a question regarding the Women in Resources award.

Leave granted.

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: Community conscious mining and energy companies that make an outstanding contribution to society are being encouraged to nominate for the Premier's annual mining and energy awards. This year, an award, 'Excellence in leadership—women in resources', has been announced. Can the minister tell the chamber about the award?

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) (14:41): The answer to the question is: yes, I can, and I thank the honourable member for her question and her interest in these most important issues. I am delighted to tell the chamber that there is indeed now an award which recognises contributions towards the participation of women within the workforce within the mining and resources sector. As members know, the Premier's Community Excellence Awards in Mining and Energy recognise companies that contribute economically, socially and environmentally to the South Australian community.

In addition, the awards have been expanded this year to specifically recognise excellence in environmental management. The 2013 Premier's community awards in mining and energy have four categories, including two new awards: excellence in social inclusion; excellence in supporting community participation; excellence in environmental management, which is a new award, as I said; and excellence in leadership—women in resources, which is also a new award.

I am very pleased that the excellence in leadership award recognises initiatives that encourage greater participation by women in the mining and energy sector. The award recognises a company in the mining or energy sector which, through implementation of initiatives, corporate processes or projects, has made significant opportunities to further advance more women through their workforce. I have spoken before in this place about the importance of women's work and the opportunities that exist by tapping into the great resource that women offer as a labour pool.

Women comprise the largest untapped workforce available to us. Generally speaking, overall, women are better educated than men in terms of year 12 completion and also degrees achieved, so it makes very good sense to utilise what is an already well-educated labour force. Data indicates that many women are looking to enter the workplace in the first instance and also that many who are in the workplace are looking to increase their hours. As I said, it is a very large untapped labour force.

Non-traditional areas of employment offer us the greatest potential benefits. The Weatherill government firmly believes that all South Australians should benefit from industries such as mining and resources. I am sure members are aware that gender diversity in the workplace can bring enormous benefits. Not only is encouraging diversity the right thing to do; as you well know, Mr President, it is the smart thing to do. By rewarding companies that embrace gender equity through flexible working arrangements, diversity forums or targeting training programs to attract and retain female workers, the opportunities for participation in the market for both the company and women grow.

I am advised that research tells us that companies who employ greater numbers of women, particularly in executive and leadership positions, do better than those with limited numbers at those levels. It is important that industry plays a role in encouraging greater diversity by promoting innovative workplace practices like flexibility and mentoring for women, which really help to provide career options for women.

A panel comprising community organisations, industry representatives and government will judge those entries, and the winners will be announced at the South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy (SACOME) Resources Industry annual dinner to be held in April this year at the Convention Centre. I just remind people that nominations are now open, and they will close on Friday 15 March 2013.

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