Jo Palmer,Minister for Women
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is committed to creating a more inclusive community that empowers and enables women and girls to fully participate in economic, social and political life.
Our Government is strengthening the future for all Tasmanians, including through the Women’s Leadership Scholarships which will help improve gender balance on key decision making bodies such as boards and committees, supporting our push towards gender equality in the State.
Our actions to achieve gender equality is guided by our Government’s Tasmanian Women’s Strategy and, in this year’s Budget, we committed $800,000 over four years to implement the new Tasmanian Women’s Strategy 2022-2027, which will be released in coming weeks.
Historically, the rate of women’s representation on Tasmanian boards and committees has been lower than men.
In 2015, only 33.8 per cent of positions on Tasmanian Government boards and committees were held by women. By December 2021, this had increased to 47.2 per cent.
Tasmanians’ priorities are our priorities and at the 2021 State Election our Government committed $400,000 over four years to expand the Women in Leadership Scholarships program and double the available funding.
Today, I am honoured to announce the 10 Women’s Leadership Scholarships: Board Diversity Scholarships recipients for 2022:
Company Director’s Course:
- Linda Karlsson
- Emma Bennison
- Kathleen Ettlin
Foundations of Directorship:
- Syeda Aimen Jafri
- Professor Jan McDonald
- Courtney Hayles
- Kylie Bell
- Elena Tinch
- Lucinda Wilson
- Beverley Jefferson
The Board Diversity Scholarship is a joint initiative of the Tasmanian Government and Australian Institute of Company Directors. It supports Tasmanian women to gain a greater understanding of the duties and responsibilities of being a board director.
This important program will also support Tasmanian Leaders to deliver its Tasmanian I-LEAD Women in Industry Program later in 2022.
We need to support Tasmanian women and girls to not just participate equally in all opportunities in Tasmania, but to thrive and to succeed.
This is a Government with integrity and heart, one that is courageous, accountable and delivers on its commitments.
