❓ Question regarding the government's commitment to equal gender representation on state boards and committees. The Minister's response affirms commitment but deflects by criticising the previous government's record on gender equity.
AnsweredQoN 61Legislative Assembly
Asked
24 May 2001
Member
Portfolio
Community Development, Women’s Interests, Seniors and Youth
QuestionView source ↗
BOARDS AND COMMITTEES, EQUAL REPRESENTATION
Does the Government intend to ensure that all state government boards and committees comprise equal representation of men and women? Ms McHALE
Does the Government intend to ensure that all state government boards and committees comprise equal representation of men and women? Ms McHALE
AnswerView source ↗
Obviously, as a new member and as a young woman, the member for Swan Hills is keen to ensure that the voice of women is heard in government decision-making forums. This Government is totally committed to increasing the number of women on boards and committees, and increasing their role in leadership positions in public life. The Government will encourage women to register for those boards and committees; however, it really needs to do other things. It needs to be more creative to ensure that women are supported and encouraged, firstly to come forward, and secondly, once they are on those boards and committees, because we are clearly not addressing this issue as quickly as women in the community expect of a good Government. In relation to gender ratios, I am sure members opposite who have been around for a while will remember the words of the then Premier and member for Nedlands in the first term of the coalition Government. On 19 October 1994 it was recorded in Hansard that he said - . . . the make-up of the Liberal Party in five years’ time would be quite different from today. I like to think that over the next couple of elections we will have a 50-50 split in our party. There is a split in the Liberal Party, but it is not a gender equity split on a 50-50 basis. It might be worth looking at the make up of Parliament to see how well parties are doing. The Government has 30 members, of whom five are women. Point of Order Mr DAY: Mr Speaker, the issue being addressed by the minister has absolutely no relevance to the question. This is an abuse of question time and it is a further reason for you to extend question time by at least 10 minutes, as was commonly done by your predecessor. I ask you to ensure that the minister answers the question, which I think she has now completed. The SPEAKER: The point of order is an opinion about whether the minister is straying from the original question. Whether the member likes the answer or not, the minister is entitled to an explanation. I am sure that she is about to bring her answer to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms McHALE: Comments like that indicate why the previous Government failed women. Its members do not understand the reform agenda. The former Premier said that in five or six years time that party would have 50-50 representation. This House is the ultimate committee in our community in which women should be represented. There are two women among the 16 members on the other side. Mr Carpenter: They did try to get another one, but she couldn’t get in here. Ms McHALE: The Liberal Party did try to bring in a woman. The former member for Nedlands wanted her to be the leader, but he forgot to tell the member for Cottesloe. The Government is committed to placing women on boards and committees. Its record stands, as can be seen. The Liberal Party should be ashamed of what it has done. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I am reluctant to call the Leader of the Opposition to order. However, because of comments that I thought I heard from him I will call him to order and start a count that he will not enjoy. I ask the Leader of the Opposition to show some restraint in his comments in relation to the Chair.
Ms McHALE replied: Obviously, as a new member and as a young woman, the member for Swan Hills is keen to ensure that the voice of women is heard in government decision-making forums. This Government is totally committed to increasing the number of women on boards and committees, and increasing their role in leadership positions in public life. The Government will encourage women to register for those boards and committees; however, it really needs to do other things. It needs to be more creative to ensure that women are supported and encouraged, firstly to come forward, and secondly, once they are on those boards and committees, because we are clearly not addressing this issue as quickly as women in the community expect of a good Government. In relation to gender ratios, I am sure members opposite who have been around for a while will remember the words of the then Premier and member for Nedlands in the first term of the coalition Government. On 19 October 1994 it was recorded in Hansard that he said - . . . the make-up of the Liberal Party in five years’ time would be quite different from today. I like to think that over the next couple of elections we will have a 50-50 split in our party. There is a split in the Liberal Party, but it is not a gender equity split on a 50-50 basis. It might be worth looking at the make up of Parliament to see how well parties are doing. The Government has 30 members, of whom five are women. Point of Order Mr DAY: Mr Speaker, the issue being addressed by the minister has absolutely no relevance to the question. This is an abuse of question time and it is a further reason for you to extend question time by at least 10 minutes, as was commonly done by your predecessor. I ask you to ensure that the minister answers the question, which I think she has now completed. The SPEAKER: The point of order is an opinion about whether the minister is straying from the original question. Whether the member likes the answer or not, the minister is entitled to an explanation. I am sure that she is about to bring her answer to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms McHALE: Comments like that indicate why the previous Government failed women. Its members do not understand the reform agenda. The former Premier said that in five or six years time that party would have 50-50 representation. This House is the ultimate committee in our community in which women should be represented. There are two women among the 16 members on the other side. Mr Carpenter: They did try to get another one, but she couldn’t get in here. Ms McHALE: The Liberal Party did try to bring in a woman. The former member for Nedlands wanted her to be the leader, but he forgot to tell the member for Cottesloe. The Government is committed to placing women on boards and committees. Its record stands, as can be seen. The Liberal Party should be ashamed of what it has done. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I am reluctant to call the Leader of the Opposition to order. However, because of comments that I thought I heard from him I will call him to order and start a count that he will not enjoy. I ask the Leader of the Opposition to show some restraint in his comments in relation to the Chair.
Obviously, as a new member and as a young woman, the member for Swan Hills is keen to ensure that the voice of women is heard in government decision-making forums. This Government is totally committed to increasing the number of women on boards and committees, and increasing their role in leadership positions in public life. The Government will encourage women to register for those boards and committees; however, it really needs to do other things. It needs to be more creative to ensure that women are supported and encouraged, firstly to come forward, and secondly, once they are on those boards and committees, because we are clearly not addressing this issue as quickly as women in the community expect of a good Government. In relation to gender ratios, I am sure members opposite who have been around for a while will remember the words of the then Premier and member for Nedlands in the first term of the coalition Government. On 19 October 1994 it was recorded in Hansard that he said - . . . the make-up of the Liberal Party in five years’ time would be quite different from today. I like to think that over the next couple of elections we will have a 50-50 split in our party. There is a split in the Liberal Party, but it is not a gender equity split on a 50-50 basis. It might be worth looking at the make up of Parliament to see how well parties are doing. The Government has 30 members, of whom five are women. Point of Order Mr DAY: Mr Speaker, the issue being addressed by the minister has absolutely no relevance to the question. This is an abuse of question time and it is a further reason for you to extend question time by at least 10 minutes, as was commonly done by your predecessor. I ask you to ensure that the minister answers the question, which I think she has now completed. The SPEAKER: The point of order is an opinion about whether the minister is straying from the original question. Whether the member likes the answer or not, the minister is entitled to an explanation. I am sure that she is about to bring her answer to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms McHALE: Comments like that indicate why the previous Government failed women. Its members do not understand the reform agenda. The former Premier said that in five or six years time that party would have 50-50 representation. This House is the ultimate committee in our community in which women should be represented. There are two women among the 16 members on the other side. Mr Carpenter: They did try to get another one, but she couldn’t get in here. Ms McHALE: The Liberal Party did try to bring in a woman. The former member for Nedlands wanted her to be the leader, but he forgot to tell the member for Cottesloe. The Government is committed to placing women on boards and committees. Its record stands, as can be seen. The Liberal Party should be ashamed of what it has done. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I am reluctant to call the Leader of the Opposition to order. However, because of comments that I thought I heard from him I will call him to order and start a count that he will not enjoy. I ask the Leader of the Opposition to show some restraint in his comments in relation to the Chair.
In relation to gender ratios, I am sure members opposite who have been around for a while will remember the words of the then Premier and member for Nedlands in the first term of the coalition Government. On 19 October 1994 it was recorded in Hansard that he said - . . . the make-up of the Liberal Party in five years’ time would be quite different from today. I like to think that over the next couple of elections we will have a 50-50 split in our party. There is a split in the Liberal Party, but it is not a gender equity split on a 50-50 basis. It might be worth looking at the make up of Parliament to see how well parties are doing. The Government has 30 members, of whom five are women. Point of Order Mr DAY: Mr Speaker, the issue being addressed by the minister has absolutely no relevance to the question. This is an abuse of question time and it is a further reason for you to extend question time by at least 10 minutes, as was commonly done by your predecessor. I ask you to ensure that the minister answers the question, which I think she has now completed. The SPEAKER: The point of order is an opinion about whether the minister is straying from the original question. Whether the member likes the answer or not, the minister is entitled to an explanation. I am sure that she is about to bring her answer to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms McHALE: Comments like that indicate why the previous Government failed women. Its members do not understand the reform agenda. The former Premier said that in five or six years time that party would have 50-50 representation. This House is the ultimate committee in our community in which women should be represented. There are two women among the 16 members on the other side. Mr Carpenter: They did try to get another one, but she couldn’t get in here. Ms McHALE: The Liberal Party did try to bring in a woman. The former member for Nedlands wanted her to be the leader, but he forgot to tell the member for Cottesloe. The Government is committed to placing women on boards and committees. Its record stands, as can be seen. The Liberal Party should be ashamed of what it has done. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I am reluctant to call the Leader of the Opposition to order. However, because of comments that I thought I heard from him I will call him to order and start a count that he will not enjoy. I ask the Leader of the Opposition to show some restraint in his comments in relation to the Chair.
The SPEAKER: The point of order is an opinion about whether the minister is straying from the original question. Whether the member likes the answer or not, the minister is entitled to an explanation. I am sure that she is about to bring her answer to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms McHALE: Comments like that indicate why the previous Government failed women. Its members do not understand the reform agenda. The former Premier said that in five or six years time that party would have 50-50 representation. This House is the ultimate committee in our community in which women should be represented. There are two women among the 16 members on the other side. Mr Carpenter: They did try to get another one, but she couldn’t get in here. Ms McHALE: The Liberal Party did try to bring in a woman. The former member for Nedlands wanted her to be the leader, but he forgot to tell the member for Cottesloe. The Government is committed to placing women on boards and committees. Its record stands, as can be seen. The Liberal Party should be ashamed of what it has done. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I am reluctant to call the Leader of the Opposition to order. However, because of comments that I thought I heard from him I will call him to order and start a count that he will not enjoy. I ask the Leader of the Opposition to show some restraint in his comments in relation to the Chair.
Mr Carpenter: They did try to get another one, but she couldn’t get in here. Ms McHALE: The Liberal Party did try to bring in a woman. The former member for Nedlands wanted her to be the leader, but he forgot to tell the member for Cottesloe. The Government is committed to placing women on boards and committees. Its record stands, as can be seen. The Liberal Party should be ashamed of what it has done. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I am reluctant to call the Leader of the Opposition to order. However, because of comments that I thought I heard from him I will call him to order and start a count that he will not enjoy. I ask the Leader of the Opposition to show some restraint in his comments in relation to the Chair.
Ms McHALE: The Liberal Party did try to bring in a woman. The former member for Nedlands wanted her to be the leader, but he forgot to tell the member for Cottesloe. The Government is committed to placing women on boards and committees. Its record stands, as can be seen. The Liberal Party should be ashamed of what it has done. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I am reluctant to call the Leader of the Opposition to order. However, because of comments that I thought I heard from him I will call him to order and start a count that he will not enjoy. I ask the Leader of the Opposition to show some restraint in his comments in relation to the Chair.
Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I am reluctant to call the Leader of the Opposition to order. However, because of comments that I thought I heard from him I will call him to order and start a count that he will not enjoy. I ask the Leader of the Opposition to show some restraint in his comments in relation to the Chair.
The SPEAKER: I am reluctant to call the Leader of the Opposition to order. However, because of comments that I thought I heard from him I will call him to order and start a count that he will not enjoy. I ask the Leader of the Opposition to show some restraint in his comments in relation to the Chair.
Ms McHALE replied: Obviously, as a new member and as a young woman, the member for Swan Hills is keen to ensure that the voice of women is heard in government decision-making forums. This Government is totally committed to increasing the number of women on boards and committees, and increasing their role in leadership positions in public life. The Government will encourage women to register for those boards and committees; however, it really needs to do other things. It needs to be more creative to ensure that women are supported and encouraged, firstly to come forward, and secondly, once they are on those boards and committees, because we are clearly not addressing this issue as quickly as women in the community expect of a good Government. In relation to gender ratios, I am sure members opposite who have been around for a while will remember the words of the then Premier and member for Nedlands in the first term of the coalition Government. On 19 October 1994 it was recorded in Hansard that he said - . . . the make-up of the Liberal Party in five years’ time would be quite different from today. I like to think that over the next couple of elections we will have a 50-50 split in our party. There is a split in the Liberal Party, but it is not a gender equity split on a 50-50 basis. It might be worth looking at the make up of Parliament to see how well parties are doing. The Government has 30 members, of whom five are women. Point of Order Mr DAY: Mr Speaker, the issue being addressed by the minister has absolutely no relevance to the question. This is an abuse of question time and it is a further reason for you to extend question time by at least 10 minutes, as was commonly done by your predecessor. I ask you to ensure that the minister answers the question, which I think she has now completed. The SPEAKER: The point of order is an opinion about whether the minister is straying from the original question. Whether the member likes the answer or not, the minister is entitled to an explanation. I am sure that she is about to bring her answer to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms McHALE: Comments like that indicate why the previous Government failed women. Its members do not understand the reform agenda. The former Premier said that in five or six years time that party would have 50-50 representation. This House is the ultimate committee in our community in which women should be represented. There are two women among the 16 members on the other side. Mr Carpenter: They did try to get another one, but she couldn’t get in here. Ms McHALE: The Liberal Party did try to bring in a woman. The former member for Nedlands wanted her to be the leader, but he forgot to tell the member for Cottesloe. The Government is committed to placing women on boards and committees. Its record stands, as can be seen. The Liberal Party should be ashamed of what it has done. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I am reluctant to call the Leader of the Opposition to order. However, because of comments that I thought I heard from him I will call him to order and start a count that he will not enjoy. I ask the Leader of the Opposition to show some restraint in his comments in relation to the Chair.
Obviously, as a new member and as a young woman, the member for Swan Hills is keen to ensure that the voice of women is heard in government decision-making forums. This Government is totally committed to increasing the number of women on boards and committees, and increasing their role in leadership positions in public life. The Government will encourage women to register for those boards and committees; however, it really needs to do other things. It needs to be more creative to ensure that women are supported and encouraged, firstly to come forward, and secondly, once they are on those boards and committees, because we are clearly not addressing this issue as quickly as women in the community expect of a good Government. In relation to gender ratios, I am sure members opposite who have been around for a while will remember the words of the then Premier and member for Nedlands in the first term of the coalition Government. On 19 October 1994 it was recorded in Hansard that he said - . . . the make-up of the Liberal Party in five years’ time would be quite different from today. I like to think that over the next couple of elections we will have a 50-50 split in our party. There is a split in the Liberal Party, but it is not a gender equity split on a 50-50 basis. It might be worth looking at the make up of Parliament to see how well parties are doing. The Government has 30 members, of whom five are women. Point of Order Mr DAY: Mr Speaker, the issue being addressed by the minister has absolutely no relevance to the question. This is an abuse of question time and it is a further reason for you to extend question time by at least 10 minutes, as was commonly done by your predecessor. I ask you to ensure that the minister answers the question, which I think she has now completed. The SPEAKER: The point of order is an opinion about whether the minister is straying from the original question. Whether the member likes the answer or not, the minister is entitled to an explanation. I am sure that she is about to bring her answer to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms McHALE: Comments like that indicate why the previous Government failed women. Its members do not understand the reform agenda. The former Premier said that in five or six years time that party would have 50-50 representation. This House is the ultimate committee in our community in which women should be represented. There are two women among the 16 members on the other side. Mr Carpenter: They did try to get another one, but she couldn’t get in here. Ms McHALE: The Liberal Party did try to bring in a woman. The former member for Nedlands wanted her to be the leader, but he forgot to tell the member for Cottesloe. The Government is committed to placing women on boards and committees. Its record stands, as can be seen. The Liberal Party should be ashamed of what it has done. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I am reluctant to call the Leader of the Opposition to order. However, because of comments that I thought I heard from him I will call him to order and start a count that he will not enjoy. I ask the Leader of the Opposition to show some restraint in his comments in relation to the Chair.
In relation to gender ratios, I am sure members opposite who have been around for a while will remember the words of the then Premier and member for Nedlands in the first term of the coalition Government. On 19 October 1994 it was recorded in Hansard that he said - . . . the make-up of the Liberal Party in five years’ time would be quite different from today. I like to think that over the next couple of elections we will have a 50-50 split in our party. There is a split in the Liberal Party, but it is not a gender equity split on a 50-50 basis. It might be worth looking at the make up of Parliament to see how well parties are doing. The Government has 30 members, of whom five are women. Point of Order Mr DAY: Mr Speaker, the issue being addressed by the minister has absolutely no relevance to the question. This is an abuse of question time and it is a further reason for you to extend question time by at least 10 minutes, as was commonly done by your predecessor. I ask you to ensure that the minister answers the question, which I think she has now completed. The SPEAKER: The point of order is an opinion about whether the minister is straying from the original question. Whether the member likes the answer or not, the minister is entitled to an explanation. I am sure that she is about to bring her answer to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms McHALE: Comments like that indicate why the previous Government failed women. Its members do not understand the reform agenda. The former Premier said that in five or six years time that party would have 50-50 representation. This House is the ultimate committee in our community in which women should be represented. There are two women among the 16 members on the other side. Mr Carpenter: They did try to get another one, but she couldn’t get in here. Ms McHALE: The Liberal Party did try to bring in a woman. The former member for Nedlands wanted her to be the leader, but he forgot to tell the member for Cottesloe. The Government is committed to placing women on boards and committees. Its record stands, as can be seen. The Liberal Party should be ashamed of what it has done. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I am reluctant to call the Leader of the Opposition to order. However, because of comments that I thought I heard from him I will call him to order and start a count that he will not enjoy. I ask the Leader of the Opposition to show some restraint in his comments in relation to the Chair.
The SPEAKER: The point of order is an opinion about whether the minister is straying from the original question. Whether the member likes the answer or not, the minister is entitled to an explanation. I am sure that she is about to bring her answer to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms McHALE: Comments like that indicate why the previous Government failed women. Its members do not understand the reform agenda. The former Premier said that in five or six years time that party would have 50-50 representation. This House is the ultimate committee in our community in which women should be represented. There are two women among the 16 members on the other side. Mr Carpenter: They did try to get another one, but she couldn’t get in here. Ms McHALE: The Liberal Party did try to bring in a woman. The former member for Nedlands wanted her to be the leader, but he forgot to tell the member for Cottesloe. The Government is committed to placing women on boards and committees. Its record stands, as can be seen. The Liberal Party should be ashamed of what it has done. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I am reluctant to call the Leader of the Opposition to order. However, because of comments that I thought I heard from him I will call him to order and start a count that he will not enjoy. I ask the Leader of the Opposition to show some restraint in his comments in relation to the Chair.
Mr Carpenter: They did try to get another one, but she couldn’t get in here. Ms McHALE: The Liberal Party did try to bring in a woman. The former member for Nedlands wanted her to be the leader, but he forgot to tell the member for Cottesloe. The Government is committed to placing women on boards and committees. Its record stands, as can be seen. The Liberal Party should be ashamed of what it has done. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I am reluctant to call the Leader of the Opposition to order. However, because of comments that I thought I heard from him I will call him to order and start a count that he will not enjoy. I ask the Leader of the Opposition to show some restraint in his comments in relation to the Chair.
Ms McHALE: The Liberal Party did try to bring in a woman. The former member for Nedlands wanted her to be the leader, but he forgot to tell the member for Cottesloe. The Government is committed to placing women on boards and committees. Its record stands, as can be seen. The Liberal Party should be ashamed of what it has done. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I am reluctant to call the Leader of the Opposition to order. However, because of comments that I thought I heard from him I will call him to order and start a count that he will not enjoy. I ask the Leader of the Opposition to show some restraint in his comments in relation to the Chair.
Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I am reluctant to call the Leader of the Opposition to order. However, because of comments that I thought I heard from him I will call him to order and start a count that he will not enjoy. I ask the Leader of the Opposition to show some restraint in his comments in relation to the Chair.
The SPEAKER: I am reluctant to call the Leader of the Opposition to order. However, because of comments that I thought I heard from him I will call him to order and start a count that he will not enjoy. I ask the Leader of the Opposition to show some restraint in his comments in relation to the Chair.
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