INTRODUCTION

The consultation on the Australia Institute (TAI) report The Impact of the Recession on Women1 was facilitated in Broken Hill, New South Wales, on 29 September 2009, by Darriea Turley, Chair of the National Rural Women’s Coalition2 , The Broken Hill Enterprise Development Centre3 (BHEDC), Women on Boards4 , and the National Foundation for Australian Women5 (NFAW). The event was held in the rooms of the BHEDC between 6.00 and 8.00 pm.

Invitations were issued through the mailing list of the BHEDC, the local contacts of Ms Turley, and through advance media statements which were carried in both the Barrier Daily Truth, and on the local ABC radio station, welcoming all comers. (A list of those attending is at Attachment 1; a copy of the invitation is at Attachment 2; and the media release and newspaper coverage is at Attachment 3)

The purpose of the consultation was explained as being to learn from Broken Hill women about their experiences in relation to achieving workforce attachment, to identify their responses to the findings of the TAI report, and thus assist in the production of a report to Commonwealth and state governments which would highlight the experiences of women facing local barriers to workforce participation. An undertaking of feedback to the participants was given.

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