Women in renewable energy
Ms KILKENNY (Carrum) (19:23): (6265) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, and the action I seek in this week in which we celebrate International Women’s Day is for the minister to update women in my electorate on how they can be part of Victoria’s clean energy workforce. As we know, women are under-represented in many industries and over-represented in others, particularly in industries where the pay is lower and employment is less secure. In the solar industry women make up less than 1 per cent of electricians, plumbers, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics, solar designers and installers, and licensed electrical inspectors. As we transition further to net zero here in Victoria and as we see the uptake of solar and other renewable energy sources grow, it is really important that women are part of this energy revolution and transition. I look forward to receiving the minister’s update on how we can break the bias and support more and more women into the solar industry in Victoria.