Female PM – Do kids put women out of the game?

In the 20 years that I have been heading up WNA women have made headway in so many areas and in others there’s so much work to be done. Not sure if you caught the content of a recent survey of head hunters in the UK, it suggests that taking even a few months’ career break for the sake of children can harm a woman’s prospects of winning a top executive job. Read the rest…

Contributed by Lynette Palmen .   Lynette Palmen AM is the Founder and Managing Director or Women's Network Australia. She started WNA 20 years ago to offer support, inspiration and services that would inspire women to succeed in their career and business endeavours. WNA is now the Nation's premier networking organisation for business and professional women. T: 1800 052 476.

Lynette Palmen has written 44 article(s) for us.

Visit http://womensnetwork.com.au

What lack of childcare places? Government’s take is that you are just imagining it

Whilst women are continually finding it a struggle to secure childcare places, it seems, according to the Government, they are simply imagining there is an issue. Not sure if you read about it, but late last week the Rudd Government broke its 2007 election promise to build 260 new childcare centres. Apparently the reason behind this is the findings of a recent report they commissioned showing there were 65,780 long day care vacancies every day so there was no need to deliver the pledge. Read the rest…

Babes are likely to be out of the budget

This week-end the Government will receive the Productivity Commission’s recommendations on Maternity Leave. It appears that after all the carry-on about this idea it’s not going to even get a look-in as part of the May Budget.

It seems the Nation is not in an economic position to implement it – well the Government had heaps of time to think about accommodating this one before giving away $12 billion of the surplus to many people who don’t actually need it. Maternity Leave payments would have achieved the same outcome – women spending money in retail outlets in preparation for the birth of their baby. It’s not rocket science. And in anycase wasn’t the Government funding for the recommendations of the Commission going to be mostly funded by a revamp of the current Baby Bonus package?  Read the rest…

Missing Member Alive and Safe

As most Members are aware, we held grave fears for the safety of WNA Member Denise McCann from Women of Wine who had not been heard of following the complete destruction of her family property in the fires that ripped through Steel’s Creek last Saturday.

I am so very pleased to be reporting that, although traumatised and in a state of shock, Denise has been located alive. On Thursday I had the opportunity to speak with her personally about her amazing escape by car – it’s a drive none of us should ever have to make.

During this call I relayed to Denise that she has the support and prayers of all WNA Members nationally. I pledged my personal support by way of a $500 cash donation which I told her would be used to kick off a WNA fund aimed to support her most immediate needs. If, in addition to the donations you have already made to the public appeals, you can manage to make a donation to Denise, please read here for details on how to go about it. You will see that on this page at our site you can also leave Denise a message of care and support. Read the rest…

Women Entrepreneurs Own Space

It’s satisfying to know that although governments and corporates across Australia are clueless in accepting women in business as a serious market segment globally, there are growing indications of respect for female entrepreneurs along with a commercial pursuit for the money women control.

Following the opening last year of In Good Company’s unique office space for businesswomen in downtown New York, the trend continues with Dubai’s Eve Tower a 20 story office building under construction and due for completion in 2010 which will be dedicated specifically to women entrepreneurs. Whilst men will be allowed to work there, only women will be able to own office space, and women will enjoy special entrances, elevators and car parks. Wouldn’t it be great to see an Aussie based corporate office provider stepping up to the challenge? 

Lynette Palmen AM the Founder and Managing Director of Women’s Network Australia speaks to, for and about women in business. Subscribe free to WNA’s weekly eNoticeBoard Service.