On Wednesday, 30 October, JMI hosted its latest Policy Talks event at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. The event explored how government action can promote workplace gender equity.

As the largest employer in the Southern Hemisphere and the biggest employer of women in Australia, the NSW Government plays an essential role in shaping the equitable lives of women.

Held in collaboration with the NSW Policy Community of Practice, the event featured a keynote address by The Hon. Courtney Houssos MLC, NSW Minister for Finance, Minister for Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement, and Minister for Natural Resources.

Minister Houssos’ address was followed by a discussion with Professor Rae Cooper AO and Professor Elizabeth Hill from the University of Sydney. Their recent report, “Building a more equitable future of work for women in NSW: Opportunities for government action”, published by JMI through its Policy Challenge Grants program, served as a focal point for the discussion.

The evening also included insights from Dr Annie Pettitt, who outlined concrete examples and policy approaches from her work at NSW Treasury, alongside Jane Reynaud, Executive Director for JMI Futures, who guided the evening’s discussions.

Minister Houssos’ address underscored the government’s vital role in advancing gender equity and fostering inclusive workplaces. She highlighted three enabling pillars for promoting gender equality: paid parental leave, accessible and affordable childcare, and flexible working arrangements.

She noted that the government’s commitment to gender equality was exemplified by the establishment of NSW’s first 50/50 cabinet, promoting diverse perspectives to enhance decision-making. She also highlighted key initiatives aimed at increasing female participation in the construction industry, wage increases in female-dominated sectors and professions, and investments in social housing.

Minister Houssos commended Professor Cooper and her team for the relevance of their recent report, noting its immediate impact. “I am happy to report that we have implemented one of your recommendations, which is around a gender impact assessment of policy,” Minister Houssos said.

Under this new policy, government agencies are required to prepare gender impact assessments for to ensure that the needs of all genders are considered and assessed in the development of public policy proposals.

The panellists also discussed the Gender Equality Action Plan (GEAP), launched by NSW Treasury in 2022, which outlines 15 actions aimed at improving gender equality across various sectors.

The NSW Government’s new Performance and Wellbeing Framework will serve as a valuable tool for systematic monitoring and community consultation about advancements in this space.

The discussion emphasised the importance of universities in shaping policy. Effective knowledge-sharing and collaboration with organisations like JMI are crucial for connecting academic insights with government actions.

“JMI is demonstrating what is possible around capacity-building and better engagement with universities,” Minister Houssos said.

During the Q&A session, the panel reflected on the future of gender equality initiatives, emphasising the need to frame the conversation around gender equality as a collective societal issue, rather than solely a women’s issue.

The event concluded with a call to action for continued collaboration among researchers, government, and industry stakeholders. By aligning efforts and focusing on mutual gains, we can accelerate the journey toward gender equality, ultimately benefiting the economy and society as a whole.