LABOR LAUNCHES NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR GENDER EQUALITY

Today, Labor is launching our National Strategy for Gender Equality.

 

The Strategy is Labor’s national plan for action on gender equality.

 

It is our commitment to make gender equality a central priority for a future Labor government.

 

Australia has been a global leader in advancing women’s rights. Labor is very proud of our part in that legacy.

 

But in recent years, progress has stalled. Achieving gender equality is not inevitable and it’s certainly not happening fast enough.

 

We’ve seen momentum growing around the world and here in Australia. Women are calling for action to break through the barriers to gender equality.

 

Achieving equality for women and men is a test of our national character and an essential building block for national prosperity.

 

Over the last year, Labor has been holding conversations across Australia. We’ve heard the views of thousands of women. This strategy has been shaped by what you told us we need to do.

 

We’re committing to targets for change and we’ve outlined a framework for government leadership. We’ll announce further measures during 2018.

 

Labor commits to:

 

Take measureable action to close the gender pay gap and report annually to Parliament on our progress.

 

Reduce the gap in women’s workforce participation by 25 per cent by 2025

 

Work in partnership with the states and territories to set a family and domestic violence reduction target to guide the Fourth National Action Plan

 

Raise representation of women on government boards to 50 per cent within the first term of government.

Boost the representation of women in Chair and Deputy Chair positions on government boards to 40 per cent by 2025

 

Set a stretch target of 50 per cent representation of women in senior public service roles by 2025

 

To ensure women’s voices are heard in government, Labor will boost funding to the six National Women’s Alliances, which represent over 180 women’s organisations. The Alliances will continue to take the lead in bringing forward the views, voices and issues of Australian women, in particular, women from marginalised and disadvantaged groups. 

 

Provide $15.2 million in funding to the Australian Bureau of Statistics to conduct the Time Use Survey in 2020 and 2027 - delivering an evidence-base to help us better understand how government policies impact women.

 

Taking action to protect university students from harassment and sexual assault.

 

Set up frameworks for gender responsive policy and decision making, including introducing gender impact assessments on cabinet submissions and new policy proposals, bringing back the Women’s Budget Statement, and convening a Ministerial Council of Gender Equality.