The Embrace Difference Council remains steadfast in its mission to create a more inclusive, equitable and forward-looking drinks industry.
Throughout the year, we’ve celebrated the richness of our industry by bringing people together, recognising achievements and strengthening connections. Standout moments such as International Women’s Day and World Pride Month demonstrated our shared commitment to inclusion, while the Wellbeing and Diversity & Inclusion Awards at the Australian Drinks Awards celebrated organisations setting the standard for positive change.
A defining milestone came with the launch of the Respect in Drinks Charter – an initiative designed to foster a safer, more respectful and inclusive industry. Endorsed by many of Australia’s leading liquor suppliers, the Charter represents a collective commitment to cultural change. As we heard at the launch events, respect is not optional: it is the foundation of an industry where every person feels safe, valued and empowered to thrive.
This year’s Diversity & Inclusion Report not only showcases the progress we’ve achieved together but also highlights the important work that still lies ahead. For the first time, 100% of Drinks Association member companies now have a Gender Policy in place, marking full scorecard coverage since tracking began in 2018/19. Carer’s leave policies have also gained momentum, with 96% of members offering a primary or equal carer's leave policy and 87% offering secondary leave – both significant increases over recent years. Just as importantly, we’ve begun measuring how many members pay superannuation on parental leave, signalling a critical step toward long-term financial equity.
Representation continues to shift too. Women now hold 38% of managerial roles across the drinks industry, up from 30% in 2018/19. Across the total workforce, women represent 34%, still lagging behind the national average of 50%. This reminds us that while progress is real, the journey to parity continues.
As part of our evolution, we’ve expanded resources to support members in addressing new workplace priorities, ranging from neurodiversity and shared parenting to multigenerational inclusion and women’s health in the workplace. This year’s Diversity & Inclusion Report brings together practical tools and insights to help member organisations translate commitment into action and drive meaningful, lasting change.
As we close out the year, I would like to thank every member organisation, council and individual who continues to champion respect, wellbeing and inclusion across the drinks industry. Together, we’re building a culture that reflects the best of who we are, today and into the future.
Sandra Gibbs
Embrace Difference Council Chair