Empowering women into leadership roles and improving gender equality were on the agenda at a Male Champions of Change (MCC) Leadership Forum today in Sydney.

 

Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women, Senator the Hon. Michaelia Cash, said the forum was a unique opportunity to discuss the success of gender equality initiatives with some of Australia’s most influential business leaders.

 

“To have more than 750 leaders in one room – the majority of who were men - talking about their personal commitment to improving the gender balance in their organisations was inspiring,” Minister Cash said.

 

“The Male Champions of Change programme brings together male leaders who aren’t afraid to introduce big changes in their own businesses.”

 

“Today’s forum provides concrete evidence of the momentum that has been generated in Australia’s business community when it comes to genuine, lasting cultural change in relation to gender equality in the workplace.”

 

One such influential business leader speaking at the event was MCC’s Andy Penn, CEO at Telstra, who has introduced an initiative for all roles at Telstra to be advertised as flexible.

 

“These men understand that improving women’s leadership opportunities and increasing women’s workforce participation is not a women’s issue, but an economic and social issue,” Minister Cash said.

 

“Men must be equal partners in driving this change.”

“Australia is now sharing these ideas globally as MCC spreads into places like New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong and Dubai.”

 

Minister Cash said today was also an opportunity to say farewell to Australia’s Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick.

 

“I’d like to extend my congratulations to Liz Broderick for her work in establishing the MCC initiative,” Minister Cash said.

 

MCC began in 2010 and now has over 20 prominent members from across the private and public sectors.