female friendly

Federal Treasurer Peter Costello, our self-styled Prime Minister In Waiting, either intentionally or unintentionally poured a few drops of rain on John Howard’s party last night to celebrate his ten years as Australian Prime Minister.

 The Liberal faithful, politicians and wealthy supporters took over the Great Hall in Parliament House for the shindig.

On the same day Costello released yet another policy which technically is outside his portfolio. Last week it was Muslims and The Australian Way and his blunt “Australia, Love it Leave it” message to people who don’t want to live by our laws.

His latest effort was to spell out a future and especially the need for more opportunities for women. He wants more “female friendly” policies in the workplace.

It was considered newsworthy enough for The Australian newspaper to use it as its lead story under the headline Costello Turns to Women. And  The Age splashed a seven-column front page headline that read Costello Crashes PM’s party.

Well, not quite but The Treasurer’s latest policy fling could have been better timed.

Costello said that Australia was already in the “front row” of nations that have embraced affirmative action to improve the status of women, but more had to be done.

He hinted at greater spending  on childcare – and that will be welcomed by every struggling working mother -- and more women-friendly policies in the workplace.

All that sounds great – and I may get some flack for this – but Australia IS one of the most fair countries in the world when it comes to working opportunities for women.

And I am not out of touch or living in an ivory tower. When I worked on the HINCH programme on television out of a staff of 55 more than forty were women. And they were not assigned to menial tasks – although there are really no menial tasks in TV.

The Floor Manager was female. The Director’s  Assistant. At times the Director.

Here at 3AW both my producers are female  and there would be more females on the staff of 3AW than males. Although our rogue’s gallery, our foyer line-up of on-air personalities are sadly all male. And, also sadly, there is still a blokey mentality around here.

Victoria’s Police Commissioner is female. There are females on some major company boards. The chairman of Qantas is female. The boss of Myer is a female import from the US.

And I do believe we have reached the stage where we are past tokenism. That women are getting jobs on their merit.

Female friendly? I think we are.

Thursday, March 2, 2006

©Copyright Derryn Hinch 2006