Accommodating Gender through Self-regulation: A Limited Response for Equity on Boards in Australia

Abstract

In Australia, women’s representation on corporate boards increased from 8% in 2009 to 30% in 2019. This chapter assesses the influence of key lobby groups and high-profile women throughout 2009–2010 to push for action on women’s board representation, despite resistance from the corporate sector. The Australian Institute of Company Directors supported a self-regulation approach and set a target of 30% of board positions to be held by women by 2018. Drawing on key reports and interviews with women directors, the chapter contends that the self-regulatory approach was successful to the extent that it disrupted previous patterns of board composition. Nevertheless, the end result of the strategy falls short of transforming gender relations. Indeed, while the top 200 Australian stock exchange companies reported a significant increase in women’s board representation during this time, significant underrepresentation of women on the boards of smaller companies continues.