A record number of women in the Andrews Labor Government has delivered unprecedented advancement for the equality for women in Victoria. As voters head to the polls, EMILY’s List Australia highlights the impact of made by large numbers of progressive women parliamentarians on public policy, legislation and cultural change.
“Labor women currently make up 44% of the Andrews Government and together this critical mass of women have delivered important results in gender equality across the state” said Tanja Kovac, National Co-Convenor of EMILY’s List Australia.
“Our Impact Analysis research – the first of its kind in the world – demonstrates the policy and legislative impact women working together can achieve in parliament. We’re proud to report that progressive Labor women MP’s delivered:
- A record $2.6 Billion investment in family violence responses and prevention.
- 50% representation of women on all government boards.
- Change our Game Women in Sports Leadership Centre & funding of female friendly sports facilities. Child & Family Hubs, bringing together maternal health nurses, kinders and childcare services in one stop shops shops across the state.
- Safe access zones around medical abortion clinics to stop harassment of women.
- Portable long service leave for community sector workers, contract cleaners and security staff
- A Victorian Gender Equality Strategy
As well as a series of high profile appointment “firsts’ for women including:
- The first woman Governor, Linda Dessau
- The First Woman appointed Victorian Director of Public Prosecutions, Kerri Judd QC
- The first Commissioner for Gender and Sexuality, Ro Allen
- The first Chief Engineer, Dr Colette Burke
- The inaugural Victorian Treaty Advancement Commissioner, Jill Gallagher
The full Impact Analysis of EMILY’s List Australia women in the Victorian Parliament 2014-2018 can be downloaded at www.emilyslist.org.au
Additional quotes from Tanja Kovac, National Co-Convenor, EMILY’s List Australia:
“Electing women makes a big impact on political outcomes. This year we have seen bullying, harassment and intimidation of women politicians. It’s important that large numbers of women are elected in parliament if we are to make a changes to legislation and the political culture to keep women safe.”
“46% of Victorian Labor candidates standing in 2018 are women, compared to only 33% of Victorian Liberal candidates. The Liberals poor form in preselecting and supporting women means every election is a referendum on gender equality”
Media Contact: Tanja Kovac, National Co-Convenor 0419 910 577 / [email protected]
EMILY’s List Australia is a financial and political support network for progressive Labor women candidates, providing financial support, training, mentoring and gender gap research.
www.emilyslist.org.au Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/EMILYsListAus