BPW Australia has made a submission to the Productivity Commission Inquiry into Childcare and Early Childhood Education, underlining the links between accessible, affordable and flexible childcare and women’s full participation in the workforce.

BPW Australia Director of Policy, Andrea Cross, says: “The most important issues  to come out of our survey of members are the real lack of flexibility in the workforce and childcare operating hours that match modern working conditions.  We have recommended that the government needs to look at alternative models of funding childcare including overseas models that link childcare to productivity gains and economic growth.”

The eventual cost of childcare, Cross says, is still borne to a major extent by women, who suffer not only a loss of earnings and promotion over their life-time, but also consequent loss in the value of their superannuation.

BPW Members can access the full submission and a Q & A on the issues in the Club Resources section of the website.

This entry was posted on Monday, February 10th, 2014 at 2:37 pm and is filed under Front Page, Latest News. You can follow any comments to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has announced that General Peter Cosgrove AC MC will take up the role of Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia in March. BPW Australia congratulates this eminent Australian on his appointment.

We also acknowledge with respect and deep gratitude the exceptional leadership of the outgoing Governor-General, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC, our patron. Quentin Bryce is a role model for all Australian women. A highly respected professional in her chosen field who rose to the country’s highest rank, Ms Bryce has shown leadership, dignity, courage and commitment as Australia’s first female Governor-General.

Women are earning only 64 per cent of the average man’s wage and salary income Australia-wide, according to a report released 20 December 2013 by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). ABS Director Lisa Conolly said, ”While average wage and salary income in Australia for 2010-11 was $51,923, men recorded a higher average of $62,699 compared with $40,312 for women.”

The report shows that men earn more than women in every state and territory with the gap being particularly large in Western Australia, where women earn only 55 per cent of the average male income. BPW Australia underlines the importance of continuing lobbying and pressure in support of Equal Pay for Equal Work, as well as gender equity across the world of work, from recruitment to promotion to leadership.

This entry was posted on Friday, December 20th, 2013 at 1:30 pm and is filed under Front Page, Latest News. You can follow any comments to this entry through theRSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

The Coalition Government welcomes today’s release of the second national Personal Safety Survey by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash said the data from the Personal Safety Survey demonstrates the need for the Federal Government to maintain its focus on addressing violence against women. “This extensive survey builds on data collected in the first national Personal Safety Survey, and will assist in developing a strong evidence-base on violence against women,” Minister Cash said. “Shockingly, the survey confirms that one in three women aged 15 years and over have experienced physical violence, and almost one in five women have experienced sexual violence.”

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 12th, 2013 at 12:41 am and is filed under Front Page, Latest News. You can follow any comments to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

BPW Australia members converged on Ettalong, NSW, earlier this month for their 36th triennial conference. Clubs from across the country elected a new National President and Board, and passed a number of resolutions that will be followed up in coming months. BPW Australia awards of various kinds were announced (see BPW Awards)

This entry was posted on Monday, November 25th, 2013 at 10:00 am and is filed under Front Page, Latest News. You can follow any comments to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.