The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

What has Labor pledged on gender?

  • Written by Camilla Nelson, Associate Professor in Media, University of Notre Dame Australia
what has Labor pledged on gender?

Women were everywhere and nowhere in the 2022 federal election.

The message from the weekend’s vote was that the things that really matter to women and their communities matter at the ballot box, too. Even if they were not part of the conversations the major parties were having.

We know that women have been trending away[1] from the Liberal Party, for almost 40 years. And we also know polls suggest women care about climate change more than men[2] and of course we know they care about being respected and living in safety.

Big wins across the country

The most conspicuous winners on Saturday night were the so-called teal candidates.

From Zoe Daniel and Monique Ryan in Melbourne to Zali Stegall, Sophie Scamps, Kylea Tink and Allegra Spender in Sydney and Kate Chaney in Perth, politics-as-usual is being revolutionised by independent women.

Here we have seen a swathe of well-credentialed professional women secure stunning victories in metropolitan seats that have historically provided the Liberal Party with its power base. This is a trend started by former independent Cathy McGowan in 2013 in Indi. McGowan, who has continued to advise the current crop of candidates, wanted local members who actually listened to their constituents.

The teals made gender equality one of their top priorities, also situating it within an interlinked set of policy positions including anti-corruption and climate change. And they have been rewarded with history-making wins. Their impact on Australia’s political scene is already seismic and we’re barely 24 hours post-election.

Read more: The big teal steal: independent candidates rock the Liberal vote[3]

Not just teals

But we also saw significant gains from women in other parts of the political spectrum. Liberal MP Bridget Archer held her seat against the tide, having stood up for integrity issues[4] and LGBTIQ+ rights[5] during the last parliament.

Also in Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie increased her Senate team to two, with the likely election of Tammy Tyrrell[6].

A young women lines up to vote in the seat of Melbourne.
Voters line up in Melbourne on election day. Luis Ascui/AAP

In Western Australia, Labor’s surprise success stories were female candidates like Zaneta Mascarenhas turning blue seats red[7]. And in Sydney, independent Dai Le[8] showed the major parties they can’t take local communities for granted, after she ousted parachuted Labor star Kristina Keneally.

This election is a stark warning about treating communities with contempt.

What will Labor do now?

We have known for some time the Coalition had “women problems” (Tony Abbott’s first cabinet had just one woman – Julie Bishop – in 2013). These were exacerbated in 2021 with Brittany Higgins’ allegations of rape[9] at Parliament House and the dismissive way the Coalition[10] and Scott Morrison[11] responded to concerns.

Penny Wong, Anthony Albanese and his family celebrate Labor's election win.
Labor frontbencher Penny Wong played a prominent role on election night. Lukas Coch/AAP

Anthony Albanese and Labor have pledged[12] to do more. It was noticeable the incoming prime minister made specific references to women in his victory speech and was prominently introduced by incoming Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong.

He has already appointed Linda Burney, the first female Aboriginal woman elected to the House of Representatives, as Indigenous Affairs Minister. Tanya Plibersek is expected to take the lead on women’s policy as Minister for Women.

But what have they promised and it is enough?

Sexual harassment

Labor’s commitment to fully implement all the Australian Human Rights Commission’s 55 Respect@Work recommendations[13] is welcome news to the thousands of women who participated in the March4Justice last year.

We of course now need to watch to make sure this happens the way Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins intended.

Labor will also now have carriage of Jenkins’ other recommendations[14] – to improve the culture at parliament house. This includes Labor Party culture.

Economic security

Labor says[15] Australia should be “leading the world in equality between women and men”.

In policy terms, Labor is pledging to make childcare cheaper[16] and to support women in insecure work. This means that wages in female dominated industries – such as care work – need to lead the policy discussion.

But there’s also a need for greater focus on the gendered nature of poverty and disadvantage. More could be done around fixing the adequacy of income supports. We know that most people[17] who receive parenting payments (more than 90%) are women. More also needs to be done to invest in social housing, in addition to the lack of affordable housing over all.

It is reasonably clear the new Albanese government recognises the structural barriers to genuine equality. But with the Coalition’s stage three tax cuts totalling $15.7 billion annually[18] backed by Labor – a legislated change that will overwhelmingly benefit high-income men[19] – it is difficult to see how much-needed structural reform is to be funded and implemented.

Read more: Stand by for the oddly designed Stage 3 tax cut that will send middle earners backwards and give high earners thousands[20]

Violence against women and children

Labor says it is making a “record” $3 billion investment into women’s safety. As part of this, it is pledging $77 million on consent and respectful relationships education. It will also spend $157 million for more community workers to support women in crisis and put ten days of domestic violence leave into the National Employment Standards.

Policymakers frequently fail to grasp the depth, complexity, and impact of violence on women and children. There are also clear links[21] between women’s safety and economic security, including the need to address income support, homelessness, and housing.

The economic cost of violence against women and children is huge, but the policy debate is constantly framed in terms of money spent. We will need to watch this area closely for signs of real progress and lives being saved and better supported.

Who are ‘women voters’?

Finally, we also need to be cautious about how we speak about “women” and “women voters”.

An effective gender agenda needs to take account of the diversity of women’s interests. Analysts do women a tremendous disservice by supposing that women are a single voting block or socially homogeneous group.

Diversity is something feminists have long attempted to place squarely at the centre of policy discussion. This includes economic and cultural differences in a population in which diversity is not a politically “marginal” issue but simply a description of mainstream Australian society.

Women have been angry, hurt and disappointed by major party politics in recent years. The results of the weekend show change at the ballot box is possible. We can only hope it now translates into change where it is needed most.

References

  1. ^ trending away (theconversation.com)
  2. ^ more than men (www.smh.com.au)
  3. ^ The big teal steal: independent candidates rock the Liberal vote (theconversation.com)
  4. ^ integrity issues (www.theguardian.com)
  5. ^ LGBTIQ+ rights (www.theguardian.com)
  6. ^ Tammy Tyrrell (www.theguardian.com)
  7. ^ turning blue seats red (www.theguardian.com)
  8. ^ independent Dai Le (www.abc.net.au)
  9. ^ allegations of rape (theconversation.com)
  10. ^ Coalition (theconversation.com)
  11. ^ Scott Morrison (www.abc.net.au)
  12. ^ pledged (alp-assets.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com)
  13. ^ Respect@Work recommendations (www.abc.net.au)
  14. ^ other recommendations (theconversation.com)
  15. ^ says (www.alp.org.au)
  16. ^ childcare cheaper (grattan.edu.au)
  17. ^ most people (www.aihw.gov.au)
  18. ^ totalling $15.7 billion annually (australiainstitute.org.au)
  19. ^ benefit high-income men (australiainstitute.org.au)
  20. ^ Stand by for the oddly designed Stage 3 tax cut that will send middle earners backwards and give high earners thousands (theconversation.com)
  21. ^ clear links (www.anrows.org.au)

Read more https://theconversation.com/women-stormed-the-2022-election-in-numbers-too-big-to-ignore-what-has-labor-pledged-on-gender-183369

The Times Features

Why Regional Small Businesses in Bendigo Deserve Better Access to Finance in 2025

In the heart of regional Victoria, Bendigo has long stood as a beacon of innovation, resilience and community spirit. As we step further into 2025, the importance of nurturing sm...

Is It Time for a Deep Cleaning? Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Most people know they should visit the dentist for a regular check-up and cleaning every six months. But sometimes, a standard cleaning isn’t enough. When plaque and tartar build...

The Hidden Meaning Behind Popular Engagement Ring Cuts

When it comes to engagement rings, the cut of the diamond is not just about aesthetics. Each shape carries its own symbolism and significance, making it an important decision for...

Annual Health Exams in the Office: How They Can Reduce Sick Days and Healthcare Costs

Regular health check-ups, especially annual health exams in the office, can significantly impact the overall well-being of your workforce. A proactive approach to employee health...

Best Deals on Home Furniture Online

Key Highlights Discover the best deals on high-quality outdoor furniture online. Transform your outdoor space into a stylish and comfortable oasis. Explore a wide range of d...

Discover the Best Women's Jumpers for Every Season

Key Highlights Explore lightweight jumpers for spring and summer, ensuring breathability and ease. Wrap up warm with cozy wool jumpers for the chilly autumn and winter season...

Times Magazine

The Essential Guide to Transforming Office Spaces for Maximum Efficiency

Why Office Fitouts MatterA well-designed office can make all the difference in productivity, employee satisfaction, and client impressions. Businesses of all sizes are investing in updated office spaces to create environments that foster collaborat...

The A/B Testing Revolution: How AI Optimized Landing Pages Without Human Input

A/B testing was always integral to the web-based marketing world. Was there a button that converted better? Marketing could pit one against the other and see which option worked better. This was always through human observation, and over time, as d...

Using Countdown Timers in Email: Do They Really Increase Conversions?

In a world that's always on, where marketers are attempting to entice a subscriber and get them to convert on the same screen with one email, the power of urgency is sometimes the essential element needed. One of the most popular ways to create urg...

Types of Software Consultants

In today's technology-driven world, businesses often seek the expertise of software consultants to navigate complex software needs. There are several types of software consultants, including solution architects, project managers, and user experienc...

CWU Assistive Tech Hub is Changing Lives: Win a Free Rollator Walker This Easter!

🌟 Mobility. Independence. Community. All in One. This Easter, the CWU Assistive Tech Hub is pleased to support the Banyule community by giving away a rollator walker. The giveaway will take place during the Macleod Village Easter Egg Hunt & Ma...

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

LayBy Shopping