Senator laments ‘bamboo ceiling’
AAP
A ‘bamboo ceiling’ preventing Asian Australians from taking leadership roles is holding the country back, says Palmer United Party senator Dio Wang.
In his maiden speech in parliament, the Western Australian politician and former CEO described the problem as a cap on Australia’s future.
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“While the glass ceiling is yet to be fully broken, we need to tear down the ‘bamboo ceiling’ as well,” Mr Wang said.
“Despite the fact that one in 10 Australians have Asian ancestry, Diversity Council Australia found that only less than two per cent of executives in the ASX 200 companies have Asian cultural origins.”
“The bamboo ceiling is not only a cap on the achievements of individual Asian Australians but also a cap on Australia’s future.”
The former engineer also called on more national funding for medical research and agricultural investment, saying science and technology played an important role in shaping the nation’s future.