Kerrynne Liddle (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Child Protection and the Prevention of Family Violence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today I stand with great pride as a senator for South Australia to talk about the many female innovators and entrepreneurs making a difference. My home state scores way above average when it comes to women participating in business.

As a former business owner who operated as a sole trader, in partnership and with a company structure, I know it takes courage and resilience to build something on your own and to take risks. Of South Australia's business owners, 40 per cent are women, and the number of businesses owned by women in my state is more than the national average.

Last Friday I was privileged to attend the 2024 Women in Innovation Awards. Women in Innovation is a not-for-profit organisation that recognises and supports women exhibiting resilience and determination, and I'm proud to be an ambassador for it. Let me share a few examples of these enterprising and innovative women. Professor Nicola Anstice of Flinders University is creating a dual-focus contact lens that slows myopia in children without compromising their vision. Dr Samantha Pillay is advocating against the stigma of urinary incontinence. Laura Drexler is creating an app for people seeking a quiet restaurant with hearing-friendly dining, and Cintya Dharmayanti is using nanoparticle design for cancer drug delivery and advocating science and STEM delivery. These are just a few of the women doing amazing things in South Australia.

What I witnessed on the awards night was a room of fearless innovators showing us anything is possible and celebrating their commitment and passion. The women's excitement for each other as they change our world for the better was obvious. I celebrate all South Australians and all women driving positive change for our nation.