Schwartz to Advise on Workplace Gender Equality

Prominent businesswoman and philanthropist, Carol Schwartz AO is leading consultations with business and other interest groups on the reporting requirements of the Federal Government’s workplace gender equality reforms.

The introduction of the Workplace Gender Equality Act last November means employers with 100 or more employees will be required from 2014 to report against a standard set of gender equality indicators in their workplace.

The Minister for the Status of Women, Julie Collins, said Schwartz will use the consultations to deliver advice on the most appropriate reporting requirements to put in place.

“Ms Schwartz’s advisory role is important and she is well placed to help ensure the new reporting matters are well-targeted, meaningful and practical,” Collins said.

“She has substantial knowledge and experience in the business, community and arts sectors.

“As a BoardLinks champion, Ms Schwartz knows the value of having the contribution of both women and men in senior leadership positions.

“I’m delighted that Ms Schwartz has agreed to lead face-to-face consultations with key parties.

“Public comment on the reporting requirements of the reforms closes next Tuesday, 29 January and I encourage anyone with an interest in gender equality to have their say.

“The reporting matters could include the number of men and women at different levels in an organisation, the proportion of employees using parental leave, occupations by gender and part-time work by gender.

“They could also include practical ways in which employers promote workplace gender equality such as flexible working conditions, strategies for dealing with gender-based discrimination, consultation with employees on gender equality, talent identification processes and child care provision,” Collins said.

Carol Schwartz is one of Australia’s leading business identities. She has extensive experience in business, property, the arts, community organizations and has been a director on a large number of public company and government boards.

Schwartz is a champion of the Federal Government’s BoardLinks initiative; a network helping women to get onto boards, particularly their first board.

Schwartz is currently the Chairman of Our Community and Founding Chair of the Women’s Leadership Institute Australia.

Some of her other directorships include Director, Stockland, Director, Bank of Melbourne, Director, Qualitas Property Partners, board member of St James Ethics Foundation, board member of National Australia Day Council, Executive in Residence at Melbourne Business School, council member of the Australian Innovation Research Centre, University of Tasmania, board member Centre for Advanced Journalism, University of Melbourne, member of the Enterprise Melbourne Advisory Board, member the Milken Global Advisory Council, member Harvard Kennedy Women’s Leadership Board, and she is also the Co- Chair in Australia for Women Corporate Directors.

Schwartz, until recently, was Deputy Chair of the Australian Women Donors Network.

She is also the immediate past President of the Melbourne International Arts Festival where she served from 2005-2009. She was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day Honors list in 2006 for her achievements in business and commerce and her contribution to community and the arts.

She also received the Centenary Medal in 2001 in recognition of her outstanding service as a leading business executive and board participant.

In March 2011, she was inducted into the 2011 Victorian Women’s Honour Roll.
Together with her husband Alan and four children, Schwartz established the Trawalla Foundation which invests in social enterprises and opportunities that focus on arts, ideas, innovation and scholarship.

In October 2012 she was appointed to chair a new organisation replacing the Australia Business Arts Foundation (AbaF) and Artsupport Australia.

She is the daughter of well-known business family and philanthropists, Marcus Besen AO and Eva Besen AO.

The issues brief is available here or by contacting the Office for Women on 02 6146 1861.