Anne brings a longstanding connection to the Working Women’s Centres alongside extensive experience in public and private sector governance, industrial relations, public policy and advocacy. She was a member of the management committee of the South Australian Working Women’s Centre while working for the Australian Services Union and has continued to support Working Women’s Centres through advocacy and lobbying of government.
Most recently, Anne served as a Director of Statewide Super, a profit-to-member superannuation fund. She was a Senator for South Australia from 2005 to 2016 and, prior to that, an Industrial Officer and Secretary of the Australian Services Union SA and NT Branch.
Throughout her paid and voluntary work, Anne has used her positions to improve outcomes for working women through industrial strategy, policy, legislation and governance measures that address inequality, opportunity and discrimination in the workplace.
Anne’s appointment comes at an important moment for the Working Women’s Centre network as we strengthen the national body and prepare for the establishment of Working Women’s Centre Australia as an independent organisation. Over the coming year, we will progress the recruitment of inaugural national board directors and build the governance foundations needed to support a strong, effective and sustainable national organisation.
“Australia’s state and territory Working Women’s Centres have a long, successful, and often difficult, history of advocacy and practical support for women experiencing workplace discrimination. I am excited to continue my association with the Centres and their work as the inaugural Chair of the new, national Working Women’s Centre Australia.
The fight for respect and fairness for all women, wherever they work, is ongoing and the opportunity to help establish and lead a national organisation dedicated to improving the lives of women is an honour I welcome.”
– Anne McEwen OAM
