More women are sitting on the boards of the Commonwealth's eight government business enterprises (GBEs) than ever before, according to Minister for Finance and Deregulation Penny Wong and Minister for the Status of Women Julie Collins.
Three women now occupy Chair positions, whereas there were none previously.
Analysis by the Department of Finance and Deregulation revealed that female representation was diverse across GBEs including the Australian Rail Track Corporation, Defence Housing Australia and Australia Post, and had doubled since 2010 with female representation now at 41 per cent.
Minister for the Status of Women Julie Collins said the Federal Government could lead by example in relation to increasing board diversity.
"By improving the gender balance on government boards, the Government can effect positive change across all sectors," Collins said.
"Evidence shows that having a good balance of men and women in leadership positions results in more informed decision making and better outcomes."
The Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI) latest audit into board diversity found progress was slow — its goal of achieving two female board directors on the board of ASX200 companies would not be met by its deadline of 2014 but would stretch on to 2024 at the current rate of progress.
