❓ A parliamentary question raises concerns about gender equity in the WA public sector, citing statistics on women's employment and workplace culture. The Minister's response acknowledges the importance of the issue, highlights existing strategies, and points to positive trends in leadership roles.
AnsweredQoN 5582Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(a) the equity index for women in public employment in 2007 is now lower than four years ago;
(b) none of the targets for the number of women employed in the State Emergency Service have been achieved in 2006/2007; and
(c) 20 percent of people in the public service, (one in four), still find it acceptable at their agency for staff to make unwelcome comments, jokes or remarks of a sexist nature?
(2) Do you agree that the statistics and the climate survey provided by the Director of Equal Opportunity in Public Employment in her 2007 Annual Report indicates that, the gender equity in the Western Australian public sector is showing a disturbing trend backwards?
(3) Because she has dared to produce another report unfavourable to the Government, is Ms Noela Taylor at risk of losing her position as director of Equal Opportunity in public employment?
(b) none of the targets for the number of women employed in the State Emergency Service have been achieved in 2006/2007; and
(c) 20 percent of people in the public service, (one in four), still find it acceptable at their agency for staff to make unwelcome comments, jokes or remarks of a sexist nature?
(2) Do you agree that the statistics and the climate survey provided by the Director of Equal Opportunity in Public Employment in her 2007 Annual Report indicates that, the gender equity in the Western Australian public sector is showing a disturbing trend backwards?
(3) Because she has dared to produce another report unfavourable to the Government, is Ms Noela Taylor at risk of losing her position as director of Equal Opportunity in public employment?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
27 November 2007
Responded by
Minister for Women's Interests
Response time
35 days
(1a-b) I draw the Honourable Members attention to Standing Order 140(b)(i) and note the question is seeking an opinion. Attracting and retaining women in public employment is of key importance to the Government. A new strategy has been implemented to address the associated 'skills drain' related to our booming economy. Timely progress is being made on the twenty-two recommendations in Taking the Lead: Women in the Workforce - A Strategy for Women in Leadership in the Public Sector 2007-2010. The recommendations cover representation, mentoring, mobility, work/life balance, selection and employment practices, and accountability.
(c) Issues of workplace culture are also being addressed in the above-mentioned Strategy. From another perspective, it should be noted that 68.6% agreed that it is "somewhat unacceptable or completely unacceptable" for staff at their agency to make unwelcome comments, jokes, or remarks of a sexist nature.
(2) I draw the Honourable Members attention to Standing Order 140(b)(i) and note the question is seeking an opinion. It should be noted that the Director of Equal Opportunity in Public Employment in her 2007 Annual Report indicated that the percentage of women at Tier 1 (CEO or Director General) has risen 5% to 24.8% and the percentage of women at Tier 2 level has risen from 29.8% in 2006 to 31.3% in 2007. These are positive trends.
(3) I draw the Honourable Members attention to Standing Order 140(b)(i) and note the question is seeking an opinion.
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(c) Issues of workplace culture are also being addressed in the above-mentioned Strategy. From another perspective, it should be noted that 68.6% agreed that it is "somewhat unacceptable or completely unacceptable" for staff at their agency to make unwelcome comments, jokes, or remarks of a sexist nature.
(2) I draw the Honourable Members attention to Standing Order 140(b)(i) and note the question is seeking an opinion. It should be noted that the Director of Equal Opportunity in Public Employment in her 2007 Annual Report indicated that the percentage of women at Tier 1 (CEO or Director General) has risen 5% to 24.8% and the percentage of women at Tier 2 level has risen from 29.8% in 2006 to 31.3% in 2007. These are positive trends.
(3) I draw the Honourable Members attention to Standing Order 140(b)(i) and note the question is seeking an opinion.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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