“Prime Minister, how is your government going to better engage women in the workforce? When are we going to see a complete overhaul of the childcare system, to truly integrate the working reality for parents with the very best in early learning and caring for our kids? Women comprise 51% of our population and yet are completely underrepresented in the country's workforce participation, leadership positions, high income earners and retirement savings; and over represented in primary caring responsibilities, domestic activity, violence and abuse, and poverty. Your government has introduced progressive policies to advance the status of women, from the first universal paid parental scheme to a 40% mandated representation of women on government boards. But in a small country like Australia, where we are importing skilled labour to meet ever increasing demands, along with changed workplace practices, we need childcare reforms that pick up where paid parental leave stops, and we need more women in leadership positions to drive cultural change. So will you take a position on completely rethinking childcare, instead of tinkering at the edges of an outdated system? And will you drive up the representation of women in leadership positions, in our workplaces and communities, by implementing targets for the appointment of women to key leadership roles in Government (such as Chair of government boards and key executive positions), and encourage the private sector to do the same?”
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Jen Dalitz
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