Australian women will be voting for their future in the upcoming federal election, and they deserve to know where each political candidate stands on the issues that matter to them.
The nation’s domestic violence crisis, cost-of-living crisis and climate crisis are not going to simply disappear without real policy action. That’s why Women’s Agenda is hosting a debate to allow party representatives to touch on the issues that matter to women. We want to see an honest policy debate to help our audience get election-ready.
Joining us is Minister for Women Senator Katy Gallagher, Greens Spokesperson for Women Senator Larissa Waters and Independent MP Allegra Spender.
Notably, there were no Coalition members who accepted our invitation to join the debate. Women’s Agenda reached out to Shadow Minister for Women Sussan Ley and senior Liberal shadow ministers Jane Hume and Anne Ruston for participation, with Sussan Ley declining and no response yet from Hume and Ruston. We remain eager to include a representative from the Liberal Party in this important conversation.
During the debate, we’ll hear directly from these party representatives as they outline their key policies for women on work, safety, housing, climate, and more. It will be live for one-hour and viewers will have an opportunity to explore what each major political party is promising women this election.
Specifically, we’ll explore policies on family-friendly workplace reforms, domestic and family violence, women’s homelessness and housing security, support for women-led small businesses, gender-responsive climate action and women’s financial security.
Women in this country need urgent policy action aimed at supporting them. We make up more than half the Australian voting population, are more educated than ever, but still earn less than men (for every $1 on average a man makes, women earn 78 cents). The ongoing climate crisis also threatens to undermine women’s health, safety and future wellbeing.
Violence against women is an escalating crisis that must finally be properly addressed. Australian Femicide Watch reports 16 Australian women have been killed between January 13 and March 27, and last year, 103 women were killed.
With a global rise in misogyny and widespread backlash against DEI and reproductive rights, there’s never been more urgency for implementing national policies that support women’s rights.
Offering an opportunity for political representatives to touch on these issues (and more), the live debate will run for one-hour and viewers will have an opportunity to explore what each major political party is promising women this election.
There will be opportunities for our audience to engage through a live Q&A. This is your chance to ask questions and get real answers before heading to the polls.
To join, please register here.
Prior to the debate, we also want to hear about the questions that are important to you. Please let us know by reaching out to [email protected].
***
Support Women’s Agenda! We are 100% independent and women-owned. We’re covering the Federal Election from the perspective of what matters to women, and always keeping the issues that matter for women on the daily agenda. Foundation memberships are just $5 a month.
Bonus: you’ll receive our weekly editor’s wrap of the key stories to know every Saturday.