Thursday, 9 March 2023

Ministers statements: International Women’s Day

Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for Water, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Commonwealth Games Legacy, Minister for Equality) (12:28): I rise today following International Women’s Day to celebrate the work of women in water. Our water sector is extraordinarily progressive when it comes to inviting expressions of interest from women, encouraging women in pathways through professional development through a range of different opportunities and programs and then fostering a sense of momentum for the careers and the development of women in this sector.

Many of the members here in this chamber will be well aware, whether they like it or not, of my passion for water and natural resource management and of the role that women in water play. I am really proud of the work that we have achieved in this portfolio to ensure that we are delivering programs that have delivered 57 per cent of board directors in our water corporations being women, which is 83 out of 146, and 61 per cent of water corporation board chairpersons being women, which is 11 out of 18. At our catchment management authorities, 61 per cent of our CMA board members are women, which is 43 out of a total of 70, and 67 per cent of our CMA board chairpersons are women too, which is six out of nine.

What we need to do is to continue to develop this work. That includes our Insight program, it includes our Women in Water program and there are so many other examples of the encouragement that is happening across the sector that are bearing very significant and positive results. Right now, though, board positions and applications are open for people to express interest in a board appointment to one of our water corps, CMAs or the Victorian Environmental Water Holder. I would strongly encourage women and people from diverse backgrounds with a range of perspectives to apply for one of these positions. Your skill and experience lend a greater quality to decision-making, and I would urge everyone to get on board.