- Ground-breaking procurement pilot to promote the benefits of gender equality in the workplace extended for 12 months
- Suppliers seeking to apply for a Government procurement contract must demonstrate they meet gender equality reporting requirements
- The pilot is an initiative of Stronger Together: WA’s Plan for Gender Equality
The success of a ground-breaking pilot program designed to increase gender equality in Western Australian workplaces has seen it extended for a further 12 months.
Since the Department of Communities launched the pilot a year ago, a gender equality clause has been introduced into public sector procurement processes, with support from the Department of Finance, which assesses the degree to which gender equality principles are implemented by suppliers on Government contracts.
In that time, the number of State Government agencies participating in the pilot has grown from 15 to 19, and 101 contracts have been awarded with a total value of $166,823,739.
The Gender Equality in Procurement WA Public Sector pilot has leveraged the State Government’s considerable purchasing power to encourage businesses and organisations to play their part in creating gender-equal workplaces.
Large suppliers with 100 or more employees must provide a copy of their compliance letter demonstrating that they meet gender equality reporting requirements under the Commonwealth Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012. Data shows that more than 92 per cent of companies of this size seeking Government contracts are meeting their obligations under the Act.
Suppliers with fewer than 100 employees must answer questions about what policies or initiatives are in place to support a gender-equal workplace. Data shows room for improvement in gender equality policies and practices among companies of this size.
As stated by Finance; Women’s Interests Minister Sue Ellery:
“While significant advances have been made to remove barriers faced by women, there is still a long way to go to bring about lasting solutions and achieve gender equality.
“The WA Government is encouraging businesses and organisations of all sizes participating in Government procurement to play their part in creating gender-equal workplaces in their everyday operations.
“This initiative is successfully using the purchasing power of the State Government to ensure companies are playing their part in addressing gender inequality in the workplace.
“Research shows companies with gender diversity are more profitable and productive and have improved employee satisfaction and decision-making.
“It is not only the right thing to do, it also makes good business sense to support and champion gender equality, and I am proud the State Government is taking the lead on this important issue.”
