Sunshine Coast symposium to address societal inequalities
October 20, 2015
It’s a harsh reality: They may be better educated than their male counterparts, but women working full time in the workplace are currently earning an average of almost 18 per cent less than men*.
It’s this gender inequality and how it ultimately impacts diversity, productivity and the overall economy that has prompted the Sunshine Coast Business Council — supported by sponsors TAFE Queensland East Coast, McCullough Robertson and RDA Sunshine Coast — to host the Human Rights Equals Prosperity Symposium on the Sunshine Coast, to be held on Thursday, 5 November at the Mooloolaba Campus of TAFE Queensland East Coast.
Sunshine Coast Business Council Chair Sandy Zubrinich said the symposium would incorporate a business luncheon, conference and public lecture throughout the afternoon event, focusing largely on challenges women may face in the workplace and incorporating stories from the last five decades regarding how women have built successful careers. The afternoon also includes a segment on the rights of refugees and people seeking asylum in Australia.
“As a region, we talk about prosperity, which requires not only strong economic structures and performance but also environmental and social structures. While the Sunshine Coast Business Council usually focuses predominantly on the economy, we are interested in all three areas and this symposium is about raising awareness of important social issues that will — and do — have an impact on our economy,” Ms Zubrinich said.
“We view this symposium as an opportunity to shine the spotlight on the importance of diversity as well as some of the issues that still impact women in succeeding, participating and contributing fully in the workplace.”
“Success and sustainability in management and business — regardless of whether in the public or private sector — require a balance of gender, skills, experience and ages. While I think it’s widely recognised that we need to get more women into positions of leadership and power, we are still lagging in achieving a gender balance in this area.”
“More than a century on from when women were granted the right to vote in Australia, it’s incredibly disappointing to still see a pronounced gender wage gap and an underrepresentation of women in positions of power.”
According to the Australian Government’s Workplace Gender Equality Agency**, only 12 per cent of chair positions, 23.7 per cent of directorships, 17.3 per cent of CEO roles and 26.1 per cent of key management positions across the nation are currently held by women.
Ms Zubrinich said while Australia had come a long way in understanding the need for diversity and addressing inequality, unconscious bias in the workplace was still evident across the country.
“Unconscious bias in the work environment has the potential to hinder women’s career progression and deprive the country and economy of talented leaders. In an age of progress and innovation, this is simply not good enough.”
“If we are to adequately address the impacts of unconscious bias, then a robust and open discussion as well as strong leadership is essential, which is why we decided to draw attention to this important issue through the symposium.”
Ms Zubrinich said the symposium would touch on the array of legislative changes addressing diversity and gender inequality over the past five decades and feature presentations from five influential Australian women.
“We’re delighted to have the Hon. Catherine Branson QC speaking at this event to discuss how effective legislation addressing gender inequality has been and currently is within today’s fast changing society and modernising economy,” Ms Zubrinich said.
“Catherine is well-known for her role as the former Australian Human Rights Commission President. She was also the first woman in the country to be appointed a Crown Solicitor and to serve as a judge in the Federal Court of Australia, so she is well-placed to share insight into the gender inequality debate.”
“We’re also excited to have YMCA New South Wales Chief Executive Officer Leisa Hart, Sunshine Coast Grammar School Principal Maria Woods, MediMobile Founder Dr Kirsten Baulch and TAFE Queensland East Coast Marketing and Media Manager Courtney Aspland sharing how they built their careers and approached issues facing their various generations.”
The Human Rights Equals Prosperity Symposium will take place on Thursday, 5 November at TAFE Queensland East Coast and include the following sessions:
Business luncheon
“Unconscious bias in the workplace and the importance of strong leadership”
Time: 11.45am-2.00pm
Location: Cartwrights, TAFE Queensland East Coast, 34 Lady Musgrave Drive, Mountain Creek
Cost: $58 for Sunshine Coast Business Council members, $70 for non-members, $550 for corporate tables (incl. GST)
Speaker: The Hon. Catherine Branson QC
Inclusions: Two-course lunch, refreshments, presentation, networking and free parking
Conference
“Five decades of women’s careers — what has changed?”
Time: 2.00pm-5.30pm
Location: Lecture Theatre, A Block, TAFE Queensland East Coast, 34 Lady Musgrave Drive, Mountain Creek
Cost: $40 for Sunshine Coast Business Council members, $15 for students, $50 for non-members, (incl. GST)
Speakers: The Hon. Catherine Branson QC, Leisa Hart, Maria Woods, Dr Kirsten Baulch, Courtney Aspland and Kristan Conlon (facilitator)
Inclusions: Conference registration, presentations, refreshments, networking and free parking
Public lecture
“Questions for Australia in the modern refugee debate”
Time: 5.30pm-6.30pm
Location: Lecture Theatre, A Block, TAFE Queensland East Coast, 34 Lady Musgrave Drive, Mountain Creek
Cost: Free (registration is essential as numbers are limited)
Speakers: The Hon. Catherine Branson QC
Inclusions: Conference registration, presentations, refreshments, networking and free parking
Packages are also available for attending multiple events within the symposium program. To secure your seat, please visit www.trybooking.com/JEQX or log on to www.scbusinesscouncil.com.au for further information.
// Ends.
Media contact — Kristen Roder, Fresh PR & Marketing
P: 0406 546 461
E: kristen@freshprm.com.au
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