Women’s economic opportunities will be a key focus of the federal government’s upcoming jobs and skills summit.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers on Wednesday released an issues paper outlining five economic challenges facing Australia in preparation for the summit in Canberra on the first two days in September.

Growing economic productivity, boosting wages and removing barriers to employment are high on the government’s list of discussion priorities.

Lifting participation in the workforce and delivering a high-quality labour force through skills, training and migration will also be addressed.

The government is inviting attendees to bring ideas to to the summit about how to address the challenges raised in the issues paper.

The summit will also have an overarching focus on women’s experiences in the labour market and ensuring women have equal opportunities and pay, Dr Chalmers says.

“Australians are paying too hefty a price for a decade of division, wasted opportunities and warped priorities,” he said in a statement.

“Through the summit and beyond, we are serious about bringing people together from right across the community to find common ground.”

The summit – a Labor election promise – is aiming to address Australia’s economic challenges and will bring together about 100 representatives from the business, union and community sectors.

Dr Chalmers says everyone will have an opportunity to provide a submission to the Employment White Paper, which will help map out the future of Australia’s skills and labour.

Outcomes from the summit and subsequent discussions are expected to inform the treasurer’s first budget on October 25.

 

Maeve Bannister
(Australian Associated Press)