Tasmanian women are participating this week in Australian Government consultations in Hobart about issues facing women in the workplace and ways to help more women into work.

 

The Minister for the Status of Women and Member for Franklin, Julie Collins, said the opinions of Tasmanian women will help shape the Australian Government’s 2012 National Workforce Development Strategy.

 

“Job creation is a major priority for the Australian Government, particularly in areas of higher unemployment such as Tasmania,” Ms Collins said.

 

“We need to have a very clear understanding of the barriers different women face in the workplace if we are to genuinely advance the status of women.”

 

A series of face-to-face consultations is taking place around the country to develop the national strategy.

 

Senator for Tasmania, Carol Brown, will represent Minister Collins at the Hobart consultations on Friday.

 

“It is particularly important women in Tasmania have their say on this strategy, which aims to improve women’s workforce participation,” Senator Brown said.

 

“The nature of the workforce in Tasmania is different in many ways to other areas of Australia and has unique regional characteristics.

 

“Getting more women into the workforce is central to our economy and to stopping women and their families fall into poverty and social exclusion,” Senator Brown said.

 

The Australian Government is putting almost $100,000 towards consultation directed specifically at gathering women’s views.