David Smith (Bean, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Currently, we are seeing significant underrepresentation of women in our top industrial positions, where highly skilled and diverse leaders are exiting STEM. In order to allow for Australian innovation to truly prosper, we must remedy these issues of structural inequality. This can be helped to be achieved by programs like WILD for STEM, an initiative providing valuable leadership training, tailored network building and opportunity for industry experience. Over 150 Australian women have benefited from this program. One hundred per cent of participants have retained a career in STEM, with half receiving new roles or promotions and 28 per cent gaining positions on boards within one year. Over the coming four years, WILD for STEM aims to advance the careers of 300 emerging female leaders in STEM, an objective possible through government investment.

I'd like to recognise Dr Klara Verbyla, a constituent of Bean. Klara holds her PhD in genetics statistics, working alongside key agricultural sectors, including a decade-long collaboration with the CSIRO. Participating in WILD for STEM allowed her to strengthen her leadership capacity while developing and expanding her network and connections in industry. She now serves as the vice president for a global agriculture technology company, proving the value of programs like WILD for STEM that champion diversity in Australian industries.