Australia: Push for establishment of register of women in SMEs to encourage more female directors

Story here. Excerpt:

'The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has recommended to the Federal Government the establishment of a national register of women in SMEs who could be considered candidates for appointments to senior corporate boards.

But Jaye Radisich, chief executive of the Council of Small Businesses of Australia, says the creation of a national register would be a duplication of services already in existence.

"The principle is worthwhile, there is clearly a lack of women on boards in government and in private businesses, and any experienced women in SMEs or other parts of the community should be encouraged to be nominated or nominate themselves for these positions."

"However, it seems that creating a register for this purpose is a duplication of existing services and is an inefficient use of government resources. Women wanting to join boards can do so through organisations such as Woman On Boards, and the already existing government register. To create a separate register is just duplicating existing services.'