DBrief Podcast by Ai Group
DBrief, the new monthly business podcast from Australian Industry Group is for business people with a keen interest in understanding the connection between their individual business operation and the broader issues of Industry Development, Industry Policy and new government regulations.
Via an engaging and informal interview format, DBrief will investigate:
- What is happening in Industry Policy, and what does it mean?
- Where are these issues going, and what do I need to know?
- What do I need to think about and learn, in order to stay abreast of- or even ahead of- the emerging issues and developments?
By understanding the answers to these questions, business operators can stay ahead of changes and market movements, and be better prepared for Digitalisation, Decarbonisation and Diversification in their business and their market sector.
The podcast is designed to provide Ai Group members and other business owners with a useful and timely insight into the changes in policy and regulations, and what is means for business.
DBrief Podcast by Ai Group
DBrief: Episode 23, September 2025
Breaking Barriers: Gender, Innovation, and the Future of Australian Industry
In this episode of DBrief, Louise McGrath and Jeffrey Wilson explore the evolving dynamics of gender participation in traditionally male-dominated industries like construction, mining, and manufacturing.
Contrary to conventional narratives, new research reveals these sectors are leading the way in closing the gender participation gap, driven by automation, safety improvements, and the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies. These changes are not only making workplaces safer and more inclusive but also enabling older women to remain in the workforce longer, challenging outdated assumptions about physical labor and gender roles.
In this fascinating conversation, Louise and Jeffrey cover:
- Gender participation trends in industrial sectors
- Impact of automation and Industry 4.0 on workforce diversity
- Modular housing
- Strategic Examination of R&D and funding challenges
- Importance of process innovation vs. product innovation
- Regulatory inefficiencies and the need for a single economic market
