The Minister for Women has hailed the 2019 Australia Day Honours as ‘inspirational’ for the nation’s women, providing a record number of female recipients as role models for women and girls.
The Minister, Kelly O’Dwyer said the honours were a significant acknowledgement of an individual’s contribution to the community inspiring the next generation of female leaders.
She said a total of 422, or 37.4 per cent, of awards in the Order of Australia recognised women this year, compared to the 215, or 33 per cent of the total, which were announced on Australia Day last year.
She said women represented 36.8 per cent of nominations considered, up from 31.8 per cent at the same time last year.
Ms O’Dwyer said that this year women were honoured in equal or greater numbers than men for their service or achievement to areas in conservation and environment, education, international relations, Local Government and the Public Service.
“We want the honours system to reflect the Australian community,” Ms O’Dwyer said.
She said over half of the representatives on the Council for the Order of Australia, which independently determines who receives awards, are female. Currently the Council comprises 8 men and 11 women.
“I encourage each and every Australian who knows an inspiring woman who hasn’t been honoured, to put her name forward,” she said.
“She might be someone who contributes to your community, your workplace, or indeed to the nation as a whole.”
The Minister said it was easier than ever to nominate and the system relied entirely on community nominations, offering the opportunity for all Australians to participate.
