Richard Marles (Corio, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

I'd like to ask the minister a question in his capacity of representing the Minister for Defence. As of 1 November last year the Department of Defence had 18,112 full-time-equivalent APS employees. Whilst the representation of women across the APS workforce, generally, is in excess of 50 per cent, those figures show that the representation of women in the workforce of the Department of Defence was then at 42.1 per cent. In executive positions—that is, EL1 and above—this data shows that women made up only one in four of those positions. Defence prides itself on being an employer of choice, but it is clear from those numbers and, indeed, numbers that you will see across the ADF, that the ability to attract women and promote them to senior positions within the Department of Defence and the ADF still has a long way to go.

The Australian Public Service Commission made the point that agencies must assess the gender balance of their leadership cohorts and make sure that they put in place tailored measures to address imbalances. On the data, it would appear that this is important work still to be done within the Department of Defence. While the Department of Defence continues to work towards improving women's workforce participation in the ADF, it is important to understand what barriers are still in place which are preventing women being employed within the department itself, but particularly progressing through to the senior ranks.

I'd be keen to hear from the minister about what actions the department is taking to encourage more women to join the Department of Defence and what actions are being taking to encourage the promotion of women within the Department of Defence to its most senior levels. In doing that, I want to ask: Is the minister aware of any discrimination on the basis of gender? Have there been any instances of discrimination in respect of employees who are pregnant? And what measures are in place to support women during maternity leave? It is important to know whether there have been any instances where women in the department have been unable to access maternity leave on the terms to which they are entitled.

I'm be keen to understand from the minister: exactly how many women are in leadership positions, as of today, at a level of EL1 and above? It is absolutely essential that in order to deal with the kind of cultural change that will enable ultimate gender balance within the Department of Defence and the ADF women occupy senior positions within the Department of Defence. I would appreciate if the minister was able to inform us exactly how many women are in leadership positions at EL1 and above.

I'd also ask the minister to advise us as to what Defence is doing to encourage women to join the department. What programs exist to encourage women to join the Department of Defence; and, as I said earlier, what measures are being taken to facilitate promotion up to executive levels? In addition to that, it would be important to hear from the minister about what steps the Department of Defence is taking in its ongoing endeavour to encourage more women to join the ADF itself. The ADF should be a reflection of our nation, and it will only be that when we have gender equality within it.

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