The Walkley Awards are being met with criticism after they announced they were banning men from the “Outstanding Contribution to Journalism” category.

Workplace crisis strategist from Maureen Kyne and Associates, Maureen Kyne, says the attempt at redressing the gender balance is “atrocious.”

“Let’s say that there’re female surgeons going through who want to be as a good as Charlie Teo, but we’re allowing people who are not skilled to pick up the scalpel because we don’t males to be in that role anymore, that we want females so we can meet this so called gender balance,” she told Tom Elliott.

Press PLAY to hear the Walkley Award attempt at gender balance faces criticism

This year the Walkley directors are seeking nominations of women journalists for Outstanding Contribution to Journalism. Since the category’s inception, 21 men & seven women have been awarded. For more details visit https://t.co/Btc8QDpKqc Nominate today! https://t.co/G7rkw2LQ0s pic.twitter.com/ATZbAeCqv9

— Walkley Foundation (@walkleys) July 13, 2023

Image: iStock.