This International Women’s Day, Australian Resources and Energy Group AMMA reaffirms its commitment to stamping out workplace sexual harassment as it progresses a dedicated national taskforce to the cause.

In the first quarter of this year, AMMA called for nominations to the Resources and Energy National Industry Taskforce on Workplace Sexual Harassment – a key outtake following the hosting of its highly successful Forum held across three sessions late last year.

“The National Industry Taskforce will drive accountability, new initiatives and cultural improvements needed for the sector to attract and retain more women,” Steve Knott AM, Chief Executive of Australian Resources and Energy Group AMMA, said.

“Today resources and energy employers will celebrate the critically important role of women to the industry’s present and future success, but we know our industry still has many significant challenges to address in order to lift female representation.

“It was clear from the people professionals, managers and executives who came together for last year’s National Forum on Workplace Sexual Harassment, that employers have a relentless drive to stamp out abhorrent and inappropriate behaviours and cultures within their workplaces.

“While there are countless proactive measures and initiatives in place amongst individual employers to stamp out workplace sexual harassment, more must be done, and the industry is not resting on our laurels in dealing with this issue.”

The Taskforce adds to the many effective actions already in place, ranging from inclusive safety audits, appropriate workplace behaviours training and ‘no tolerance’ policies for perpetrators.

“Through the Taskforce, AMMA looks forward to further facilitating the sharing of ideas and information from across the many different sub-sectors of our industry, and investigating further collaboration on future industry campaigns,” Mr Knott said.

“We must send a clear message to women that we want them working in our industry and will provide the safe and respectful working environments they not only deserve but are lawfully entitled to.”

Mr Knott highlighted that technology and innovation advancements continue to open up exciting new opportunities for highly skilled women to enter the resources and energy workforce.

“AMMA is proud to guide and support resources and energy employers in their commitment to increase female workforce and leadership representation,” Mr Knott said.

“Increasing female participation brings wide-ranging benefits and employers are continually developing industry-leading policies and initiatives to attract and develop women in resources and energy.

“The role of women in Australia’s resources and energy sector cannot be understated and we must continue to promote the abundance of highly skilled, highly paid roles in order to attract and retain the best female talent.”

This International Women’s Day, Australian Resources and Energy Group AMMA is also proud to highlight its ongoing work to assist mining, oil and gas, and allied sector employers to attract and retain more female employees, managers, and c-level executives. These initiatives include:

• The Australian Women in Resources Alliance (AWRA): In its 10th year, the industry’s leading national diversity and inclusion initiative facilitates programs, support and guidance to assist employers in building their diversity and inclusion capability (learn more here).
• AWRA Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Board: A passionate committee of senior industry leaders who assist with diversity and inclusion program design and improvement; identify new priorities and facilitate engagement between AWRA and wider industry.
• AWRA Knowledge Centre: Providing employers with the latest industry information, tools and best-practices for diversity and inclusion policies and workplace cultures.
• Bright Future STEM Primary Schools Program: In its fourth year of building awareness amongst primary school students of the industry’s diverse and rewarding careers including through hands-on STEM activities and female role model presentations.

In addition, AMMA regularly delivers its Appropriate Workplace Behaviours training to member company employees, with a strong focus on discrimination, sexual harassment and inclusive workplace culture.

For more information on AMMA’s National Industry Taskforce and National Industry Forum on workplace sexual harassment, or any other initiatives listed above, contact Tom Reid at the below details.

MEDIA CONTACT: Tom Reid, 0419 153 407