Chief Minister supports what women want

ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher is calling on Canberra women to participate in the country's largest survey of working women which every year provides an insight into the issues affecting their work and family lives.

The 'What Women Want' survey is run by the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) and is now in its sixth year.

Last year, nearly 10,000 women took part nationwide and organisers are confident they will see numbers rise in 2011.

"I encourage all female public servants to take the time to complete this survey, which plays an important role in furthering our understanding of the issues affecting working women.

"Like other working women, I live and breathe the challenges presented by trying to get the balance right at home and at work.

"Importantly the survey provides an honest and real sense of what it is like for working women across the country, and in doing so, helps inform priority policy areas for the future. Last year revealed significant gaps between the availability of flexible working conditions and the number of women accessing them," the Chief Minister said.

The nationwide survey is being run in conjunction with the University of Queensland's Institute for Social Science Research and, for the first time this year, the University of South Australia's Centre for Work + Life.

"These partnerships will see the survey grow in scope this year and delve into environmental issues, ask how women balance work and non-work commitments and seek views on performance pay, travel, career opportunities, training and caring responsibilities.

The 2010/11 survey report can be viewed online.

This year's survey will begin on Monday 17th October and will conclude on Friday 11th November.