Australia’s future will be decided by the who is at the decision making table, and as such, it is imperative that diverse women leaders are at every decision making table in Australia.
Chief Executive Women recently travelled to Canberra to share the findings of the 2026 CEW Senior Executive Census, The Defining Decade, with parliamentarians and senior government officials.
Our message was clear: progress towards gender equality is not inevitable. After a decade of tracking women’s representation in corporate leadership, the Census shows progress has stalled, with some indicators moving backwards.
Our discussions focused on the importance of women’s leadership in all its diversity. Improving overall gender balance is essential, but we must also ask which women are progressing and who is being left behind. Decision-making tables should draw on the breadth of Australia’s talent, experiences and perspectives.
We also raised the worrying backlash towards gender equality and the need for leaders across business, government and the community to challenge it. Retreating from commitments risks reinforcing the barriers that prevent women from participating, progressing and leading.
Turning evidence into action requires both corporate accountability and policy reform: stronger leadership pipelines, fair access to career opportunities, inclusive workplaces, and care arrangements that support women’s economic participation.
Thank you to the parliamentarians, advisers and officials who met with us, including;
Diane Brown, Deputy Secretary, Revenue, Small Business and Law Group.
Jenny Wilkinson PSM Secretary to the Australian Treasury.
Kate Chaney MP, Federal Independent Member for Curtin.
Melissa McIntosh MP, Federal Member for Lindsay, Shadow Minister for Communications, and Shadow Minister for Women.
Senator the Hon Jane Hume, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate.
Zoe McKenzie MP, Federal Member for Flinders and Shadow Cabinet Secretary.
Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher, Minister for Women, Minister for Government Services, Minister for Finance, Minister for the Public Service, Manager of Government Business in the Senate.
Sharon Claydon MP, Deputy Speaker of the House.
CEW looks forward to continuing these conversations and working across the political spectrum to advance women’s leadership.
Gender equality is not a finished task. It requires sustained commitment and leadership willing to act.
Learn more about the tenth CEW Senior Executive Census here, and download the full Census PDF here.
#WomensLeadership #GenderEquality #CEWCensus
About Chief Executive Women
Since 1985, Chief Executive Women (CEW) has influenced and engaged all levels of Australian business and government to remove the barriers to women's progression and ensure equal opportunity for prosperity. CEW's 1,400 members represent Australia's most senior and distinguished leaders across the country's largest private and public organisations, collectively overseeing over 1.3 million employees and $749 billion in revenue.