State Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk has promised that next week’s State Budget will support initiatives to ensure women can thrive in a gender-equal Queensland.
The Premier announced a package of measures in advance of the Budget that she said supported women, ensuring they benefited from the State’s booming economy.
She announced $4.6 million over two years for the Women in Trade Apprenticeships Mentoring program, to support women undertaking apprenticeships and improve completion rates.
“In addition, $3.2 million over two years will support a Future Women – Jobs Academy program to train, support and connect up to 500 unemployed and under-employed Queensland women with paid employment and training programs,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“A further $2.8 million over four years will go to the Women in Network grant program to support women and girls’ participation and leadership in male-dominated industries.”
She also announced funding for the Fresh Start For Me program to establish online resources to support women impacted by domestic and family violence to return to, or enter, the workforce; and for an expanded delivery of the Backing Female Founders program, a raft of initiatives for women entrepreneurs.
“The 2022 Annual Queensland Women’s Statement shows the Government’s equality strategy is delivering results, notably in reducing the gender pay gap and increasing women’s participation in the workforce,” the Premier said.
“Despite this positive step, women are less likely to be a business owner or manager when compared to men.”
She said these latest announcements built on the momentum generated by the 2022 Queensland Budget, which saw $163.4 million invested in housing, support and specialist homelessness services for vulnerable people, including older women and those experiencing domestic and family violence.
The Gender Equality Report Cards can be found at this PS News link and the Annual Women’s Statement at this link.
