Fair Agenda

In any discussion about the lack of women in Cabinet – and the countless other decision-making forums where women remain under-represented – someone will almost always cite “merit” as the reason we don’t see as many women at the table. But the reality is, whatever your politics, it’s hard to argue that the women our Prime Minister would describe as “knocking on the door” are anything short of accomplished and impressive.

As murmurs of impending Cabinet reshuffles continue - can you help us push the conversation beyond "merit" by sharing these articles about women and Cabinet?

• We’ve been working with our friends at Women’s Agenda to profile some of the women who could be in Cabinet. Click here to read and share the profiles.
  
  Included are Ministers, Assistant Ministers and a Parliamentary Secretary currently serving in the Government – those considered most likely to be promoted into Cabinet. As well as being accomplished politicians, these women have led international delegations to observe presidential elections, worked as commercial pilots and solicitors, run farms, and been appointed a Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.

• Click here to read and share yesterday’s Canberra Times piece from Fair Agenda ambassador and peace and security expert Dr Susan Harris-Rimmer calling for more women in Cabinet.
  
  She says: “Diversity is worth pursuing as a democratic value, and to aid better decision-making. Cabinet needs a reshuffle and there does not seem a single good reason why the door should not be opened to more women.”

• Click here to read and share this piece by Fair Agenda ambassador and leadership & adaptive change expert Liz Skelton about the importance of diversity for good decision making.
  
  She says: “Best practice leadership theory tells us that adaptation and innovation only occur when we can harness diversity of thinking and bring ideas together to create something new."

Can you help spread the word about the importance of ensuring the next cabinet reshuffle includes women? Not just because half the population deserve to be better represented in this key decision making forum; but also because diversity is critical to good decision making, and good democracy.