Inquiry rejects board gender balance bill

A Senate committee has rejected a private crossbench bill that would force government boards to have at least 40 per cent women.

A crossbench bid to force Australian government boards to employ at least 40 per cent women has been rejected by a Senate committee.

An upper house inquiry on Tuesday recommended the Senate reject a private bill by independents Nick Xenophon, Jacqui Lambie, Glen Lazarus and Greens senator Larissa Waters that would legally require the boards to employ 40 per cent women, 40 per cent men and 20 per cent of either.

It would inscribe into law an aspirational target created by the Labor government in 2010, but the Liberal-chaired committee believes legislated goals are not the best way to achieve gender balance.