News

Today marks International Women’s Day. The Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Sector (Sector) has demonstrated again that it is a top Australian performer in the representation of women in leadership, QAIHC CEO, Neil Willmett said.

The Sector is made up of 28 member organisations. These multi-million-dollar companies provide essential health services to over 700,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders each year.

QAIHC research shows that of the 28 Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Services, 55% have a female CEO and 57% have a female Chairperson. These figures exceed the percentage of ositions in the top 200 Australian companies where female leadership and Board representation is still below 5%.

“Having diverse and inclusive workforces isn’t just a moral imperative, it is just good business. Our Sector leads by example when it comes to gender equality and on International Women’s Day we are celebrating our chievements,” Willmett said.

“The experience of our Sector is that the formula for success rests with boards and senior executives who understand talent management.

“Our boards and CEO’s continue to be forceful and champion diversity. This is the template to accelerate improvements in female leadership and board representation across the country,” Willmett said.

Mr Willmett said that it is very clear that Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Services provide more than just health services.

“They deliver female role models, executives and leaders that are a national resource who have an impact on Australia.

“I urge executive teams and boards to consider how they can learn from our Sector to accelerate the representation of women at executive levels in business and government,” he said.