"Reports that the Federal Government has reversed its proposed onerous gender equality targets for businesses to be eligible for government procurement programs will mean that more companies will have an opportunity to secure public sector contracts when they need them most," said Innes Willox, Chief Executive of the national employer association, the Australian Industry Group.
"The current principles that underpin government procurement in Australia promote competition, efficiency and transparency and ensure value for money for every taxpayer dollar that is spent.
"The Government's procurement decisions already ensure employers need to comply with their obligations under the Workplace Gender Equality Act to be considered, so the thought of more red tape and regulation would have made it too hard for many businesses.
"As the sole organisation which had a voice on this issue, we look forward to working with government to design appropriate implementation of this new approach to gender targets and to reaching a sensible decision in what is a tough environment for businesses," Mr Willox said.
