DCA holds leader's dialogue with the Minister for Employment Participation
Last week, Diversity Council Australia and Cancer Council Queensland hosted the Minister for Employment Participation at our second leader’s dialogue on diversity-related issues.
The Minister, Brendan O’Connor MP, highlighted the advantages of embracing diversity within the workplace from government's perspective, including employing people with a disability and from culturally diverse backgrounds, as well as providing flexible working environments to accommodate employees with family responsibilities.
Nareen Young, DCA's CEO, said the forum was a great opportunity for DCA members to meet the Minister.
"Being able to discuss the federal government's workforce participation policy agenda directly with the Minister was important for the participants, who are actively involved in making diversity happen in the workplace. It also gives timely focus to the importance of diversity in these difficult economic times,” said Ms Young.
"DCA was excited to be able to facilitate the event. It was a wonderful follow up to last year's event with Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard, and reinforces that membership of DCA provides access to important dialogue with leaders on key diversity-related issues."
Professor Jeff Dunn, CEO, Cancer Council Queensland thanked the Minister for participating in the event.
"We are delighted Minister O'Connor was available to talk with us about diversity. Our organisation has worked hard, in partnership with DCA, to build a workplace that values and nurtures diversity. The outcomes speak for themselves - we have one of Australia’s highest rates of return-to-work from maternity leave, at 94%, and one of Australia’s lowest gender pay gaps, far below industry averages,” said Professor Dunn.
"We also have a strong commitment to the development of Indigenous women, including the establishment of an Indigenous Advisory Group to guide the development of courses and specific cancer resources for the Indigenous community.”
More Diversity Leader's Dialogue events will be held in future for DCA members. Please contact us for more information about the next event or about DCA membership.
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