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Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1)
2014-06-04 Daily Xml
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Women on Boards and Committees

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT (14:26): I have a supplementary question arising from the answer. If this government is so keen to see women appointed to senior positions, then why did it recently appoint two male members of parliament from opposing parties to its cabinet, rather than look at its own local pool of female talent?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (14:27): As I said, this government has an extremely good track record when it comes to women in parliament. At the 2014 state government election, 27.7 per cent of candidates were women, just under a third. As I said, this goes to our credentials, which are established right across the board. After the 2014 election, the percentage of women in the House of Assembly is 25.5 per cent. The percentage of women in the Legislative Council is 22.7 per cent. The government now comprises 33 per cent female members. The government now comprises 33—

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: What, on the Labor side it's 22 per cent? It doesn't say much for the rest of those blokes over there. Is that 22 per cent of the intellect?

The PRESIDENT: The honourable Leader of the Opposition will allow the minister to complete her answer.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: The government now comprises 33 per cent female members. The opposition, Mr President, can you guess what the opposition is? A measly just over 16 per cent. This government has a 33.3 per cent representation of women. The Liberal opposition has 16.7—and they dare sit there and open their mouths. They should hang their head in shame, hang their head in shame.

The South Australian cabinet comprises 31 per cent females. The shadow cabinet—Mr President, can you imagine?—has 17 per cent. Again, this Labor government comprises 31 per cent women in cabinet; the Liberal opposition 17 per cent. They should hang their head in shame, hang their head in shame.

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