Media Statements: Statements

Minister stops door closing on abused women's support service

Arbouin, Shane — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:49:47 GMT

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The Women’s Legal Referral Service, which operates in Northbridge and provides support and legal advice to women trying to escape abusive relationships has been saved.

An urgent injection of $21,500 in State Government funding has stopped the not-for-profit service from closing due to lack of funds.

Women’s Interests Minister Robyn McSweeney said she was happy to announce a one-off emergency grant of $21,500 to tide the service over until hoped-for additional Law Society funding was made available next January.

“South Perth MLA John McGrath drew my attention to this important issue and I’m glad to provide much needed funding through the Department for Communities grants program,” Mrs McSweeney said.

“It is vital that women who feel powerless to leave abusive relationships are given the chance to access counselling and support services and to obtain professional advice that helps secure their legal rights.”

Mrs McSweeney said that in the past two years the Women’s Legal Referral Service had helped about 600 Western Australian women in crisis.

Women’s Legal Referral Service project co-ordinator Di Annear said the organisation was grateful and relieved that the Minister had intervened with additional funds.

“It is wonderful to know that we can continue to operate over the Christmas holiday period, which is always a difficult time to deal with domestic violence issues,” Mrs Annear said.

Minister's office - 9222 8950

Date: 11/11/2009

Minister: McSweeney

Portfolio: Women's Interests

Region: Northern Metro & Perth CBD;Eastern Metropolitan;South Eastern Suburbs;South Western Suburbs;Western Suburbs

Report card measures progress of Western Australian women

Antartis, Jill — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 07:57:51 GMT

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Women’s Interests Minister Robyn McSweeney has released the ‘Women’s Report Card 2009’, outlining key indicators to policy planning direction for WA women.

The report aims to measure the progress of women in WA through areas such as health, work, safety, education and leadership.

“The report card is an important tool as it measures progress from year to year, helps identify where there have been marked improvements, where there is room for progress and emerging trends that need addressing,” Mrs McSweeney said.

“Since taking Government, there have been 168 women appointed to WA boards and committees. In the Legislative Council alone, appointments of women have risen from 29 per cent to 44 per cent from 2003 to 2007.

“At the recent Ministerial Council for the Status of Women that I chaired in Perth, a national approach was agreed on to increase the number of women in senior executive roles in both the private and public sector.

“I also intend on looking at ways in which we can decrease the gender pay gap where there has only been a slight increase of 4.6 per cent in the past five years to bring ordinary full-time earnings between men and women closer.

“This report card is a useful tool for Government, private enterprise and the general community and measures how well we are doing in building sustainable infrastructure services to meet the demands and diversity of WA women.”

The Minister was interested in further analysing data indicators related to the progress of incidences of violence against women, provision of care services and flexible working arrangements for women in the workforce.

Mrs McSweeney said the scope of the data captured for the report card relating to women aged 15 years and over allowed for a direct comparison with other States and Territories in assessing WA’s performance.

The report card is available from the Department for Communities website at http://www.community.wa.gov.au/DFC/Communities/Women/Publications.htm

Minister's office - 9222 8950

Date: 15/10/2009

Minister: McSweeney

Portfolio: Women's Interests

Region: All

Western Australian businesses urged to appoint women on boards and committees

Antartis, Jill — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 08:36:36 GMT

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Speaking at the WA Telstra Business Women’s Awards today, Women’s Interests Minister Robyn McSweeney congratulated finalists on their commitment and dedication in achieving business success and making an impact on the growth of the State economy.

“Western Australia has a long history of producing talented and innovative individuals whose entrepreneurial spirit has taken them to great heights,” Mrs McSweeney said.

“The 19 finalists at the awards today have created opportunities that benefit the social and economic sustainability of our State.

“This State Government strongly supports a business environment that promotes innovation and creativity with industry diversity the key to WA’s continued growth.”

It is estimated that 35 per cent of the 196,000 small businesses in WA are currently operated by women with the number rapidly increasing.

At the awards ceremony, the Minister encouraged the wider corporate community to consider the talents of talented and hard working Western Australian women when making appointments to boards and committees.

“Across Australia, for every 12 male board members there is only one female board member, however, with State Government boards and committees, the figures are more representative with women comprising about 33 per cent of members,” she said.

“More can be done. Increasing women's representation on government boards and committees will assist the development of policies, programs and services that reflect the needs of the broader community.”

In a move to encourage more female board appointments, the State Government late last year offered scholarships totalling $60,000 to 10 women to participate in the Australian Institute of Company Directors’ training course. Another 22 women were funded to attend a one-day course to increase their skills, leadership, opportunities and networks.

Mrs McSweeney congratulated Ms Georgina Rinehart, Chairperson of Hancock Prospecting for being awarded 2009 Telstra WA Business Woman of the Year who will now progress to the national finals.

Minister's office - 9222 8950

Video link

Date: 8/10/2009

Minister: McSweeney

Portfolio: Women's Interests

Region: All

Future planning for WA women at 2009 MINCO conference

Antartis, Jill — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 01:21:52 GMT

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Women’s Interests Minister Robyn McSweeney will be hosting the annual Australian and New Zealand Ministers' Conference on the Status of Women (MINCO), at the Hyatt Regency Perth.

“I am delighted to be hosting the 2009 MINCO conference where priority issues relating to women’s safety and future economic and workforce participation concerns will be discussed as part of this year’s theme of women and social inclusion,” Mrs McSweeney said.

“Ministerial representatives at the conference will be looking at ways they can support the development of a national plan to reduce violence against women.

“I am keen to see what impacts an education campaign can have in influencing community attitudes to decrease the incidence of violence in homes across the country.

“I look forward to discussing women in leadership roles that relate to equal representation on Government boards and committees and strategies to increase representation for leadership positions in the private sector.

“In Western Australia, only 33 per cent of State Government board and committee members are women and I would like to explore strategies with my counterparts as to how, on a national level, we can set to achieve a greater balance in the years to come.”

The Minister said she was looking at establishing a State Women’s Advisory Council for the purpose of addressing gender equity issues and the effect of current Government policies on WA women.

A communique is expected to be released next week on the outcomes of the conference.

Minister's office - 9222 8950

Date: 2/10/2009

Minister: McSweeney

Portfolio: Women's Interests

Region: All

State Budget 2009-10 meets community expectations

Antartis, Jill — Thu, 14 May 2009 07:33:30 GMT

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Community Services, Seniors and Volunteering and Women’s Interests Minister Robyn McSweeney today confirmed funding would continue to deliver increased support services to Western Australian seniors and communities.

“The State Government made a number of election commitments to WA seniors that we will continue to deliver in 2009-10,” Mrs McSweeney said.

“$26.1million has been set aside in this year’s Budget to deliver election commitments related to the Cost of Living Rebate, with a further $5million in funding allocated for the roll-out of the Seniors’ Security Rebate next financial year.

“This Government will ensure WA seniors are looked after with a series of measures designed to lessen the financial burden. The delivery of free public transport to WA Seniors Card holders has already helped ease this burden.

“Some tough decisions however have been made to reflect the one-off three per cent efficiency dividend, including new child care licensing fees for all WA centres to start on January 1, 2010.

“Currently child care is the only WA Government issued licence for which fees are not charged."

The Government is taking positive steps to help WA seniors meet the challenges that have arisen from increases to the cost of living.

WA Seniors Card holders will again receive an annual rebate of about $100 for singles and $150 for couples, totalling $26.1million in 2009-10.

The Government has also allocated $5million to provide a rebate of $200 per household for all WA Seniors Card holders towards the installation or purchase of home security devices. This is due to commence in 2009-10.

WA Budget statements are available at http://www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au/

Minister's office - 9222 8950

Date: 14/05/2009

Minister: McSweeney

Portfolio: Seniors and Volunteering;Women's Interests;Community Services

Region: Northern Metro & Perth CBD;Eastern Metropolitan;South Eastern Suburbs;South Western Suburbs;Western Suburbs;Kimberley;Gascoyne;Goldfields/Esperance;Great Southern;Mid West;Peel;Pilbara;South West;Wheatbelt

17 deaths too many

Antartis, Jill — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:31:35 GMT

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A silent march marking National Stop Domestic Violence Day attracted hundreds of people in Perth today to remember and honour the many victims who have died as a result of family and domestic violence.

“Tragically, 17 Western Australians died in the last year as a result of family and domestic violence. Nine of these were women murdered by their current or former partner and sadly three were children murdered by one of their parents,” Community Services and Women’s Interests Minister Robyn McSweeney said.

“Too many women live in constant fear of physical and sexual assault and threats they will be killed. Too many children are witness to the abuse.”

Mrs McSweeney said although the number of homicides was down from the 24 recorded in the previous year, one death was too many.

“My thoughts are with the families and friends and with the many workers in the family and domestic violence field who every day do their best to ensure that victims are safe and that perpetrators are held accountable,” the Minister said.

“I would like to thank the Women’s Council for Domestic and Family Violence Services for organising this event and for reminding us that family and domestic violence can kill.”

Mrs McSweeney said the Government was exploring many strategies to reduce family and domestic violence. Work was focused on service integration across the family and domestic violence sector.

Already the Department for Child Protection and WA Police were co-located at several metropolitan police stations, and Police were referring victims and perpetrators to support services. More than 30,000 family and domestic violence incidents were reported to WA Police in the last 12 months.

The Minister said she was also exploring options for setting up a fatality review process later this year.

“It is only by examining mistakes of the past that we can better protect women and children in the future,” she said.

Minister's office - 9222 8950

Date: 23/04/2009

Minister: McSweeney

Portfolio: Community Services;Women's Interests

Region: Eastern Metropolitan;Gascoyne;Goldfields/Esperance;Great Southern;Kimberley;Mid West;Northern Metro & Perth CBD;Peel;Pilbara;South Eastern Suburbs;South West;South Western Suburbs;Western Suburbs;Wheatbelt

Celebrating wonderful WA women for more than 70 years

Antartis, Jill — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 23:00:23 GMT

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A host of activities including a free expo, barbecue picnic, indigenous performance, photographic exhibition and breakfast forum will be held during the next few days to mark this year’s International Women’s Day.

Women’s Interests Minister Robyn McSweeney said the day, which had become a celebration of achievements by women around the world, would be held on Sunday, March 8.

“The inspiration for International Women’s Day came from a New York march against poor working conditions and child labour, held in 1908,” Mrs McSweeney said.

“It has been celebrated in Western Australia since 1938 as a way to recognise the achievements of women, plus highlight and encourage debate on current social, economic and political issues.

“WA’s activities this year centre on the theme of Sharing the Caring for the Future, focusing on how caring responsibilities can be broadened and shared more evenly.

“Many women working full-time are continually caring, not only for their own children, but in many cases for their elderly parents too.

“By highlighting the challenges that many face as carers, we can explore strategies needed to share caring responsibilities.”

Central TAFE in Northbridge is hosting a free public expo from 10am to 3pm on Sunday, March 8, to celebrate the contribution of women, which includes an indigenous performance event from 10.30am to 12.30pm.

For a full list of activities and events, visit http://www.community.wa.gov.au/DFC/Communities/Women/InternationalWomensDay2009.htm

Minister's office - 9222 8950

Date: 5/03/2009

Minister: McSweeney

Portfolio: Women's Interests

Region: Eastern Metropolitan;Northern Metro & Perth CBD;South Eastern Suburbs;South Western Suburbs;Western Suburbs

Scholarships for leading women

Antartis, Jill — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:21:14 GMT

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Women’s Interests Minister Liz Constable has awarded scholarships to 10 women to help them develop skills required to be members of boards and committees.

The scholarships, worth a total of $60,000, will allow the women to participate in the Company Directors Course offered by the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Dr Constable said women represented 31.5 per cent of Government board members in Western Australia and this needed to increase significantly.

“Government services, policies and programs could benefit from the input of a rich pool of talented women, who would bring new voices, new perspectives and experiences to the decision making process,” Dr Constable said.

“A Government board that is more representative of the community’s diversity makes good business sense and brings about better organisational performance, both financial and non-financial.”

The Minister said that of the 10 women selected, four were from rural and remote areas.

More than 200 applications were received for the scholarship program. Due to the overwhelming demand, the 22 short-listed applicants will be offered a one-day course to increase their skills, opportunities and networks.

The successful scholarship recipients were:

• Gail Beck: Gail is a former member of the Aboriginal Lands Trust and was involved in the creation of the Djidi-djidi Aboriginal Women’s Corporation, centre-based day respite for Aboriginal seniors and permanent positions for Aboriginal liaison officers within local councils.

• Kym Benson: The focus of Kym’s work is to support Pilbara schools and promote mining industry partnerships. She is involved in the Hedland Secondary Education Forum and has been on the national executive of the Society for Provision of Education in Rural Australia.

• Radhanika de Mel: Since migrating from Sri Lanka in 2003, Radhanika has served on the executive committees of the National Council of Women of Western Australia, the Australian Asian Association and the Western Australian Sri Lanka Association.

• Odette Haley: Odette is a lecturer, community development practitioner and convenor for the Pilbara Centre of Excellence in Early Childhood Leadership. She is currently completing her Masters in Education (Leadership).

• Alexandra McManus: Alexandra has spent considerable time working in community-based research, injury prevention, workplace health, child health and with indigenous communities. She also mentors regional and rural health practitioners.

• Gloria Sutherland: Gloria has been involved in the establishment of bowel cancer screening in WA and the WA Cervical Cancer Prevention Program. She has been instrumental in health prevention strategies, including the formation of the Kimberley Population Health Unit.

• Anthea Whan: Anthea is a member of the Kununurra Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a registered foster carer with the Department of Child Protection and a tutor for the Follow the Dream program, which helps indigenous children stay at high school.

• Sarah Newbold: Sarah’s previous board membership has included the Women’s Law Centre WA, the Same Sex Domestic Abuse Group (which she initiated in 2000) and the Perth Inner City Youth Services. She will begin a Masters of Business Administration in 2009.

• Kay Gerard: Kay is currently an Associate Director of the Curtin Vocational Training and Education Centre in Kalgoorlie. She is also a past president of the Karratha and District Chamber of Commerce and a previous president of Rotary International.

• Frith Adrienne Klug: As well as being a director of the WA Children’s Hospice Association Board, Frith has a full and varied history of community involvement. She is also a current committee member of the Change Management Reference Group of the Water Corporation.

Minister's office 9222 9699

Date: 4/12/2008

Minister: Constable

Portfolio: Women's Interests

Region: Eastern Metropolitan;Gascoyne;Goldfields/Esperance;Great Southern;Kimberley;Mid West;Northern Metro & Perth CBD;Peel;Pilbara;South Eastern Suburbs;South West;South Western Suburbs

Hundreds of WA women celebrate their outstanding peers

LANGROUP\AFongChan — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 03:15:19 GMT

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More than 300 business women and 400 high school girls heard inspirational stories of achievement today when they converged on Perth Convention Centre to mark International Women’s Day on March 8.

Women’s Interests Minister Sue Ellery said the annual Worldly Women event honoured remarkable Western Australians who were shining examples of how women could achieve success in their personal and professional lives.

“We were very fortunate today to listen to the experiences of four inspirational young women,” Ms Ellery said.

The speakers were: 2004 Australian Trainee of the Year Sam Johnson, who until the age of 20 was illiterate; drug addict turned anti-drug crusader and 2003 Young Person of the Year Jade Lewis; TV sports reporter Caty Price; and tax adviser and women’s rights advocate Ren Balakrishnan.

The Minister said that with the theme of International Women’s Day this year, ‘Women, Science and Technology’, the Worldly Women event provided an opportunity to encourage high school girls to pursue careers in what were still male-dominated fields.

“TEE results each year clearly demonstrate girls’ strengths in the sciences, yet women are still under-represented in these types of occupations,” Ms Ellery said.

“The significant achievements of the many WA women who work as scientists, researchers and in the technology sector need to be celebrated and better recognised so that these professionals are retained in their field.

“We also need to continue to attract young women to study science and technology so that more women can go on to be the leaders of tomorrow.”

Oxford University educated Professor Lyn Beazley was among the hundreds of women who attended Worldly Women. Dr Beazley was appointed WA’s chief scientist in 2006 - the first woman to attain the prestigious position.

Minister's Office - 9213 7150

Date: 6/03/2008

Minister: Ellery

Portfolio: Women's Interests

Minister urges more recognition of women in science

LANGROUP\AFongChan — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 06:31:19 GMT

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7/11/07

The achievements of Western Australian female scientists and researchers need to be better recognised to prevent them leaving the field, Women’s Interests Minister Sue Ellery told a group of high achieving professionals today.

Ms Ellery said the work of women in science is not as well known as that of their male counterparts and this led to difficulties keeping them in the industry.

“We need to encourage and acknowledge the contributions women make to science in this State, and especially recognise the difficulty many of them face juggling a professional career with motherhood and family commitments,” she said.

The Minister was addressing about 90 women from private business, professional associations, tertiary institutions, research centres and government agencies at the second Women in Science Breakfast at Parliament House.

“The women who attended are truly inspirational,” she said.

“Many have obtained the highest possible qualifications while juggling multiple roles of student, wife, mother, daughter and partner.”

Guest speaker Professor Lyn Beazley, Western Australia’s chief scientist who is well known for raising the profile of science within the community, said she wanted to see a higher representation of women in science occupations.

“Of the total number of people employed in the minerals and industry workforce in Australia, less than 20 per cent are female, and women comprise only 10 per cent of the total number of engineers employed in the engineering sector,” Professor Beazley said.

“A significant number of women (34 per cent) are graduates of science, information technology, architecture and engineering courses, however more women need to be retained in these professions later in their careers.

“It is important to recognise the contribution of women to science and the need to encourage and maintain women in the area.”

The inaugural Women in Science Breakfast was held in 2005 and hosted by Dr Judy Edwards MLA, the former Minister for Science and Technology.

Dr Edwards sits on the Women in Science Working Group chaired by Professor Beazley, which is part of the Premier’s Innovation and Science Council.

The Women in Science Breakfast today also launched the theme for International Women’s Day next year: ‘Women in Science and Technology’.

Ms Ellery said March 8 would hopefully encourage more young women to consider science as a profession, and reap the benefits of the current economic boom by pursuing science qualifications.

Minister's office: 9213 7150

Date: 7/11/2007

Minister: Ellery

Portfolio: Women's Interests