Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Davey's question is a very important and timely one. We know that gender diversity on boards, for example, contributes to more effective and innovative decision-making and outcomes. In December of 2020 women held a record 49.5 per cent of Australian government board positions. We have strategies in place to meet the target of 50 per cent, and I'm personally committed to continuing to increase gender diversity and to reach that target.

As a coalition government we've appointed a number of women to senior leadership positions, including the outgoing secretary of my own department, Frances Adamson. Secretary Adamson has done an exceptional job as the secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. I want to acknowledge her leadership, her own commitment to diversity. What she has brought to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the change that she has overseen in the department over the 36 years of her role in DFAT, is exceptional. I attended her speech at the National Press Club today with Senator Birmingham, Senator Seselja and Senator Wong to acknowledge that leadership.