Thursday, 2 May 2019

Western Victoria Region

In reply to Mrs McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (7 March 2019)

Mr WYNNE (Richmond—Minister for Housing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Planning):

It is well known that women, Aboriginal Australians, people with a disability, people from culturally diverse backgrounds and people who are gender diverse are under represented on Victorian Government boards.

Appointments to Victorian Government boards should, as far as practicable, reflect the diversity of the Victorian community. Increased board diversity will support new thinking to complex problems and ensure Government boards reflect our diverse communities.

It is government policy that opportunities to appoint women, Aboriginal Australians, people with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, gender diverse and intersex people should be actively explored.

It is also government policy that no less than 50 per cent of all new appointments to paid Victorian Government boards and Victorian courts, and Chairs of paid Victorian Government boards be women.

The advertisement is part of a broad recruitment strategy to encourage all Victorians to apply to these boards. The appointments will be merit based as all applicants will be subject to a competitive selection process to ensure they meet the skill and experience needs of the boards.