Annastacia Palaszczuk defends gender split on Olympic Organising Committee
Annastacia Palaszczuk has defended the failure of the Olympic Organising Committee for the 2032 Games to reach a goal of gender equality after the number of women appointed failed to meet 50 per cent.
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Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has defended the failure of the Olympic Organising Committee board to reach a goal of gender equality, saying it will “self-correct” over time.
The board was to have been a 50-50 split between men and women, but only nine of the 22 positions have gone to women.
Speaking on the Gold Coast after a tour with International Olympic Committee executives, Ms Palaszczuk said she was “proud” of the number of women on the board, despite failing to reach the required quota.
“I made four nominations, two of which were women, the Prime Minister made four nominations, two of which were women, and then we had five nominations which were joint and they were based on the skills that we needed for the board,” she said.
“There is a suggestion in the legislation that we should have one indigenous person on the board, we’ve got two indigenous people.
“We’ve got representatives from the Paralympics as well.
“It is a dynamic board and it is a board that can do the job.
“Obviously it (the make-up of the board) is going to change over time as well and I’m very proud of the number of women that are on the board.”
She said the imbalance could self-correct over the coming years.
“These board appointments are for four years,” she said.
“Things come and go, there are elections, people might leave those boards and others come on.”
It’s not the only board decision that has raised eyebrows, with Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate overlooked for a position.
Ms Palaszczuk said she would work “hand-in-glove” with Councillor Tate, as she did during the Commonwealth Games.
Asked if he would have preferred to be on the board, Councillor Tate said he was “happy with the status quo”.
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