Making gender equity a priority

The Queensland Government has committed to a key initiative to deliver gender equality in the clean energy sector, as the first Australian state to sign up to the international Equal by 30 campaign.

Equal by 30 aims for equal gender balance, equal pay, leadership and opportunity in the clean energy sector by 2030, and today Queensland joins more than 180 signatories from around the world in committing to it.

“I am extremely proud that our Government has committed to improving employment opportunities for women and girls in Queensland’s energy sector,” Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman said.

“This is a fantastic initiative to help break down barriers in what is generally a male-dominated industry – especially given we know how important diversity in decision-making is for success.

“It’s encouraging to see the gender gap closing but it still remains far too great, and we must work harder to ensure we are achieving equal gender balance, equal pay and equal leadership.”

Five proposed commitments have been developed to assist the Queensland Government in improving women’s participation in the energy sector:

• Develop a Women in Renewables Strategy with industry, universities and training organisations to increase leadership and participation of women in the energy sector with a focus on supporting women in regional Queensland.

• Drive practical actions to improve gender diversity and participation, and completion of apprenticeships and training in vocational and university-level qualifications in the energy sector, especially in traditionally male dominated industries.
• Work across government and with the energy industry, including Queensland’s public owned energy businesses, to improve data collection and reporting on gender participation in the clean energy workforce to provide greater visibility of gender equality in the sector and inform policies and initiatives.
• Set clear expectations and monitoring Queensland’s publicly owned energy businesses in providing sectoral leadership in gender diversity and equality by continuing to deliver strong, practical actions to build and maintain an inclusive culture and close the gender gap in the clean energy workforce.
• Lead the way in gender inclusive recruitment, promotion, and to increase the participation of women in Department of Energy and Climate and the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training to achieve gender balance at all levels and job types within the organisation.

According to Minister for Energy and Clean Economy Jobs, Mick de Brenni, Queensland women’s week is the perfect time to enshrine the state’s commitment to safeguarding opportunity for women in the clean energy industry, by signing up to Equal by 30.

“We’re already investing in apprenticeships, traineeships and degrees for Queensland girls and women to make sure we deliver on our public commitment to Equal by 30,” he said.

“You can’t be what you can’t see, which is why more than half of the board positions across Government are held by women, and now Equal by 30 gives us the suite of practical actions to deliver on the aspirations of Queensland women and girls.”