NSW Labor

FAQ

What is Labor doing for women?

The Labor Women’s Forum provides the opportunity for women to create both formal and informal Party links, fostering involvement in the ALP. A proactive approach is taken by the Labor Women’s Forum in transferring skills and providing support to all women within the ALP.

The Federal Minister for Women, Tanya Plibersek, has stated that Labor’s approach to helping women starts with building a modern workplace relations system. That’s why Labor has abolished AWAs, and is introducing the Forward With Fairness plan to get a fair deal for working women.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, has also directed the Productivity Commission to examine different models of support for the parents of newborn children, including a taxpayer-funded paid maternity leave scheme.

Labor in NSW has outlawed discrimination against breastfeeding mothers, protecting the rights of mothers in public, and making it easier for women to return to work without concern about unfair treatment.

How will Labor’s plan help women?

A replacement for the unfair WorkChoices legislation will allow women to bargain more easily for family-friendly workplace initiatives and flexible working conditions. The Federal Government will also introduce a National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and Children which will be led by a National Council.

A scheme for paid maternity leave will increase the opportunities for parents to plan breaks from work, with the security to know that there will be a job to return to. That’s why Federal Labor has asked the Productivity Commission to report on what options might be available.

The NSW Violence Prevention Coordination Unit set up in February 2008 will allow many different State bodies to work with the same resources, including the police, courts, community services and health, so that victims do not end up having to tell their stories over again to different agencies.

What has Labor achieved for women?

In 1984, the Hawke Government passed the landmark Sex Discrimination Act, which for the first time prohibited:

…discrimination against people on the ground of sex, marital status, pregnancy or potential pregnancy in the areas of work, accommodation, education, the provision of goods, facilities and services, the disposal of land, the activities of clubs and the administration of Commonwealth laws and programs.

Since then, this important piece of legislation has been constantly updated, and was the precursor to the Affirmative Action (Equal Employment Opportunity for Women) Act in 1986.

The NSW Government has established the Premier’s Council for Women, which reports to the Minister for Women and the Director of the Premier’s Department. This is a powerful, efficient body which makes recommendations to ensure that the requirements of women are considered in every part of Government.

Labor has increased the representation of women on boards in the NSW Public Sector. Of 3843 positions on State Boards and Committees, women hold 1414, or 37%. Women account for 36% of the 440 new appointments to Committees that were made from the 1st April to the 30th September 2006. As an extra incentive to ensure the representation of women and encourage participation, the Premier’s Department maintains a Register for Women.

Labor is making progressive gains in the representation of women in Parliament and in positions of power. Currently 23% of Australia’s Federal Ministers are women, the highest proportion so far, and more than double the number of women Ministers in the last Howard Ministry. Of the Labor Party’s 83 Members of the House of Representatives, 24% are women, and of the 28 Federal Senators, 46% are women. Labor is leading the way ensuring women are represented in Parliament.

In 1999 Dr. Meredith Burgmann was elected as President of the NSW Legislative Council, only the second woman ever to hold the position, and the first from the Labor Party.

How can I be involved?

You can join the Labor Women's Network, or the Young Labor Women's Network to connect with like minded women in the Labor Movement.

 

Make a submission to the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into Improved Support for Parents with Newborn Children.

 

You may enjoy reading Kevin Rudd’s speech on International Women’s Day.