Women in the Workforce

The Hon. A.L. McLACHLAN (15:34): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for the Status of Women a question regarding the migration of South Australia's young women.

Leave granted.

The Hon. A.L. McLACHLAN: On 14 October it was reported in The Advertiser that women in their early 20s are leaving South Australia in order to pursue career and lifestyle opportunities elsewhere. The article cited data that revealed the rate of women aged 20 to 24 who are leaving South Australia has outstripped men every year over the past decade, and this pattern is repeated in the 25 to 29-year-old age group. Liz Forsyth, Chief Executive of Adelaide YMCA, has suggested that the lack of women in leadership roles, coupled with growth in the gender pay gap in South Australia, could be contributing to the exodus of young women. My questions are:

1. Are there any measures currently in place specifically designed to address this alarming trend?

2. Has the Premier's Council for Women been asked to investigate this issue? If so, what advice has it provided?

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) (15:35): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. Indeed, it is of great concern that any South Australian has to leave South Australia to work in other states. Although there are, obviously, benefits if people leave, gain experience and then return, it is something we need to continue to work very hard on, and we have an employment plan and a strategy to transition our economy that will, hopefully, help us to do that.

The state government is investing substantially in opportunities for all South Australians, particularly women. It also needs industry and employers to step up and provide more opportunities for the development and promotion of women, more flexible family-friendly workplaces (I have spoken on that in this place before), equal pay and, of course, to recognise the value of women in leadership roles. South Australia is also making a transition from an economy based on traditional models of manufacturing and agriculture into a knowledge-based economy; however, this takes time and a concerted effort by all.

The participation of women in employment and leadership roles continues to be a priority of this government. In October 2014 I noted that 48.44 per cent of positions on state government boards and committees were held by women, the highest percentage of women members achieved to date; higher than when the former Liberals were in government, it significantly outdoes that. It is also recognised that women are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and maths, and I have talked at length in this place about our STEM initiative—particularly STEM focused on women—so I will not go into that again.

Of course, the Office for Women continues to work with the Department of State Development, the Department for Education and Child Development, universities and industry groups on initiatives to encourage women to undertake training and pathways to employment in high demand, non-traditional industries such as mining, resources, defence and construction. I think I have addressed most of the other issues previously in this place.