The Minister for Small Business, the Hon Bruce Billson, and the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash are encouraging the community to celebrate brilliant local businesswomen by nominating them for the 2014 Telstra Business Women’s Awards.
Minister Billson said the awards recognise the important role women play - from the small business sector through to the corporate world.
“Communities around Australia are filled with vibrant, hardworking and innovative women who have worked hard to build livelihoods, support communities and promote women in the workforce,” Minister Billson said.
“As the longest-running state/territory and national awards program for businesswomen, the Telstra Business Women’s Awards provide a great opportunity to showcase inspirational business women across the nation.
“Women operate almost a third of businesses in Australia across all industries and many do this while also raising children and running a household.
“We all have a role to play to ensure that Australia is economically strong, and our workforce is innovative, productive and above all, full of opportunities for all Australians.
“I encourage the community to get behind our local businesswomen by nominating them for the 2014 Telstra Business Women’s Awards,” Minister Billson said.
Minister Cash said the Awards recognise businesswomen whose passion, creativity, leadership and success make a positive impact on our community and subsequently inspire other women to reach their own goals.
“Twenty years ago the Telstra Business Women’s Awards encouraged women to break through the glass ceiling; today they play an important role in encouraging diversity in business in Australia,” Minister Cash said.
“Increasing women’s workforce participation doesn’t just improve gender equity - lifting the women’s workforce participation is critical to broader improvements in society as a whole - such as greater economic prosperity, health, and early childhood development.
“Harnessing the economic potential of women should be a top priority and Australian businesses will benefit immensely from diversity within their organisations,” Minister Cash said.
Winners and finalists across Australia will share in a total prize pool of more than $650,000.
The Awards have three qualifying categories for business owners, employees in the private and corporate sector and employees in community and government agencies. Entrants can also be considered for two specialist categories for innovation and young business women.
Nominations can be made at telstrabusinesswomensawards.com or by calling 1800 817 536.
Entries close on 14 July and winners of the 2014 Telstra Victorian Business Women’s Awards will be named at a gala dinner on 21 October.