Remarks by three women world leaders at the Australian Public Sector Summit

For the first time in Australia, The Hatchery’s August Women in the Public Sector Summit features keynote sessions with three former world leaders in six Australian cities.

Building on the previous summit with Hillary Rodham Clinton as keynote speaker and attracting an impressive 1,200 public sector leaders, this August The Hatchery invites three former prime ministers to share their journeys and insights into leadership at the highest level.

Taking place on August 24 and 25 in Canberra, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, The Hatchery’s Women in Public Sector Leadership Summit continues its partnership with the Global Women’s Leadership Institute and presents an extraordinary program including:

Hon. Julia Gillard AC, the first and only woman Prime Minister of Australia
Rt. Hon. Theresa May, the second MP to become Prime Minister of Great Britain
Rt. Hon. Helen Clark, first elected Prime Minister of New Zealand.

The theme of the summit is to connect, elevate and empower women in leadership, focusing on empowering current and aspiring women leaders. With three international leaders with 120 years of combined experience in the public sector and leadership, these extraordinary women will share their stories and journeys, inspiring current and emerging women leaders.

Hon. Julia Gillard AC

“Structures matter. The way organizations do what they do has an impact on participation, gender equality and other forms of equality.”

Rt. Hon. Helena Clark

“Do we need to ask the question, ‘Is it important to have women in leadership positions?’ I think so. When you count women leaders around the world, I’ve never counted more than twenty.”

Rt. Hon. Theresa May, MP

“There is still a need for (Women2Win) to exist until we get to a situation where we can judge the individual and not their gender.”

In addition to the international addresses, two current and one former state premier will also address their summits.

The Canberra summit will also feature respected public sector leaders, including:

Nerida O’Loughlin, chair and agency head of the Australian Communications and Media Authority
Vonda Malone, first female Mayor of Torres Shire Council and Chief Executive of the Torres Strait Regional Authority
Rebecca Skinner PSM, former CEO of Services Australia

Award-winning journalist Leigh Sales will also share her extensive experience in shaping messages, creating questions and how stories can change the world.

The program also includes panel discussions, case studies and workshops on gender equality in the workplace and addresses important health issues such as menopause and endometriosis that impact the careers of many women, as well as the importance of allyship on the path to leadership.

The August Summit in Canberra will also see the launch of the inaugural Leadership, Excellence and Distinction Awards to celebrate outstanding achievements in inclusive excellence and outstanding cross-sector work. A gala dinner is part of the summit, and entries for outstanding achievements at the individual, team and organizational levels are open until July 5.

Entries for the Leadership, Excellence and Distinction Awards close on July 5. To nominate yourself or a colleague in the Australian Public Service, visit the website here.