This is the speech Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash delivered at the National Press Club yesterday.
Our values as Australians are that women and men are equal. However, disappointingly, this is not borne out by the facts. Barriers still exist that impact on a woman’s life choices.
There is an unacceptable gender pay gap. Clear differences between the levels of family violence experienced by women and men. Clear differences between men and women’s wealth, financial status and retirement incomes. On all of these criteria, men do better than women.
I have a 15 year old niece, Aleisha. The world that I want her to live in is one that when we say “women and men are equal” – they are. I want Aleisha to have the exact same opportunities as my six nephews have. She deserves nothing less.
Equality does not mean that men and women are the same – we’re not. What it does mean, however, is that women are free to make the choices in life that they want to make, not that they have to make, because of the barriers that still exist. It means that girls and women are equally valued and have the same opportunities, choices and recognition, as boys and men.
This Government is taking action to ensure that this occurs. In relation to the scourge of domestic violence our resolve to end it is clear. We are implementing the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children – with more than $100 million allocated over four years; $13 million for the awareness program – OurWatch, $3 million for CrimTrac to develop the National DVO Scheme and increased funding for the 1800Respect hotline
As Indigenous women are 31 times more likely than non-Indigenous women to be hospitalised due to family violence we have committed $6 million to the Northern Territory’s Domestic and Family Violence Reduction Strategy. The National Plan, which is endorsed by all Australian Governments, and all political parties was formulated after consultation with stakeholders across Australia. As the 12 year Plan is implemented, discussions are ongoing and are extensive.
Domestic violence is a national priority. It will be front and centre at the next COAG meeting. We have appointed an expert panel on preventing violence against women. The founding members are Australian of the Year Rosie Batty, and retired Victorian Police Commissioner Ken Lay who will bring their own unique experiences to the Panel.
Ladies and gentlemen, how is it that we live in a country in which assault and violence are illegal and yet one in three women in Australia will experience domestic violence; one in five sexual violence and one woman each week in Australia is murdered at the hands of a former or current partner. That’s wrong.
We need to shine the spot light on domestic and family violence. And that is why I am announcing that the Federal Government will work with state and territory governments to deliver a $30 million dollar jointly funded national awareness raising campaign. We must ensure that everyone in Australia knows that violence against women is just that – violence. It is a crime– it is wrong. It should not be tolerated and must be stopped.
And while the Federal Government’s commitment to domestic violence is resolute, the issue of inconsistent and inadequate sentencing and justice administration responses for domestic violence perpetrators must be addressed. Too often we have seen the criminal justice response being out of line with community expectations. Even the most innovative and well intentioned policies to address domestic violence are rendered futile if it is not matched with satisfactory and consistent responses by the justice system for perpetrators – across all States and Territories. Beyond the Federal Government’s policy responses to domestic violence, we are continuing vital work in a range of other areas.
We’re funding programs which give at-risk young Indigenous girls the tools to lead healthy lifestyles; improve their self-esteem and leadership abilities. We’re funding grassroots community organisations to address forced and child marriage and Female Genital Mutilation. We are strengthening the capacity of the court system to provide access to justice for CALD women. For the first time ever, we have ensured that 80% of Australian foreign aid investments must address gender issues.
In conjunction with the Australian Institute of Company Directors, we’ve funded a record number of scholarships to help boost women’s leadership capability. Last year, we secured the agreement of G20 leaders to the important goal of increasing women’s workforce participation. And here at home, to encourage greater participation, we will address the issue of childcare by delivering a sustainable plan for making child care more affordable, flexible and accessible.
This Government is committed to ensuring women lead productive lives free from violence, increase their leadership capability, and further their economic independence. That is why I am also pleased to announce that the government has provided funding to the Centre for Workplace Leadership to work with 10 organisations to develop a gender equality strategy for them to use in their workplaces to effect real and lasting change.
In closing, if we leave it up to government alone we won’t achieve gender equality and we won’t achieve true cultural change. Gender equality is ultimately a community and societal issue. It is about attitudes. It is about each one of us, today and tomorrow, insisting that women and men are equal in their homes, their workplaces and their societies – we cannot and will not rest until this is achieved.