The 2019 Federal election failed to increase the cultural diversity of elected representatives’ and where diverse candidates, especially women, faced greater racism and abuse.  The latest Julia Gillard Next Generation Intern report by Stephanie Milione, A Truly Representative Democracy, explores the challenges and opportunities women candidates face and how both ELA and the Australian Labor Party can best support women in the future.   The report will be released today by Ms Gillard AC and is the result of second Julia Gillard Next Generation Internship.It demonstrates that we must improve our support First Nation women and women from CALD backgrounds if they are to be elected. This internship gives life to the shared vision of Ms Gillard and ELA to promote and make political life easier for the next generation of talented progressive women leaders. Stephanie interviewed Indigenous and CALD Labor women candidates, former and current MPs, about their experience on the campaign trail.  She also investigated the surge of women candidates in the 2018 midterm elections on a study tour of the USA visiting EMILY’s List USA, America Votes, Emerge America, the Center for American Women and Politics and the Women’s Campaign School at Yale University. Quote from Ms Julia Gillard “From my work at the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership, I know the evidence shows diverse teams perform better. That means there is much to be gained if our parliaments are truly representative of our communities. Congratulations to Stephanie on being this year’s intern and shining a light on the unique challenges facing women from diverse backgrounds and how we can best support them to get preselected, elected and have a fair opportunity to become a future Prime Minister.”  Quote from Ms Stephanie Milione, the 2019 Julia Gillard Next Generation Intern “The pipeline of talent needs to be fostered early and tandem quotas for diversity should be considered to give legitimacy to our system of representative democracy and arrest the decline in respect for our governments.” Quote from Ms Tanja Kovac, National Co-Convenor of EMILY’s List Australia “We take seriously our work to ensure women with intersecting attributes of difference and diversity win elections and will do all we can to implement the recommendations in this report. We thank the Australian Workers Union and Slater and Gordon Lawyers for their leadership in supporting the internship and sharing our vision.” Media Contact: Tanja Kovac, National Co-Convenor                    0419 910 577 / ceo@emilyslist.org.au   Read the report here: https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/emilyslistaus/pages/276/attachments/original/1568590507/EMILY's_List_JGNGI_report_2019.pdf  

Today 15 MPs from Labor, Liberals, Greens, Animal Justice & Independents are introducing a bill to decriminalise abortion in NSW. We wish the best of luck to Penny Sharpe MLC, Trish Doyle MP, Jenny Aitchison MP & Jo Haylen & all of our EMILY's List MPs advocating for the right to choose. Stand by them in the fight for reproductive freedom, join EMILY's List.

Now that there has been some time for considered reflection on the election outcome, we are seeking EMILY's List Australia members' and supporters' views on the Australian Labor Party's 2019 federal election campaign. As in previous years, a report will be submitted to the ALP review process. We ask that you complete our anonymous survey and include any comments. There has already been some commentary and media analysis of the campaign and the results, such as in the Sydney Morning Herald and at the Conversation.  The ALP will be reviewing the suite of policies presented to voters and over the term of the 46th Parliament will present again as an alternative government at the next federal election. That process starts now with this review and we want to see a continued emphasis on the policies that directly impact on women. The survey will be open until 5pm AEST on Friday 30th July 2019. Complete the survey over here

We're proud to have Azmeena Hussain as panelist at the 'What Would Joan Kirner Do?' 2019 event. Azmeena is the first Muslim woman partner at Maurice Blackburn Lawyers and leader in the legal community. Jamila Rizvi wrote a wonderful profile piece on Azmeena for Her Agenda that is a must-read, click here for the full article. In this profile Azmeena opens up about her love of justice, her powerfully inspiring mother, and her approach to faith and the hijab. Get to know our panelist Azmeena over here.  Jacinta Allan MP, Member for Bendigo East and the Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure, will also be a special guest panelist. She has also served as Minister for Education Services, Employment, Youth Affairs, Women's Affairs, and Public Transport. First elected at the 1999 state election at the age of 25, she was the youngest ever female parliamentarian elected in Victoria. The panel discussion will be facilitated by Dimity Paul, a Senior Manager at a top 20 ASX listed Energy Company working with Government and Community Stakeholders and a previous Chief of Staff in both Federal and State Labor Governments.  The event will be emceed by Sonya Kilkenny MP, Member for Carrum and EMILY's List Co-Convenor for Victoria. Sonya is also the Victorian Parliamentary Secretary for Early Childhood Education.

In the lead up to the 'What Would Joan Kirner Do?' 2019 event we are hosting an exciting online auction featuring a piece signed by the late Joan Kirner herself. This large, beautiful piece celebrates women who have changed the world with the art from special edition postage stamps around the world, set in a gold frame. It's one of a kind signed by the late Joan Kirner herself as well as Labor legends Jenny Macklin, Linda Burney, Catherine King, Anna Bligh and Candy Broad. This is a not to be missed auction, closing right before the WWJKD event starts. Bid online Bid online

  Monthly memberships launch for new members We are now offering the option for new members to pay their membership monthly instead of annually. The monthly membership prices are: Full $15 per month Supporter $11 per month Concession $5 per month Click here to join as a new monthly member today   Weekly lucky draw for renewing members Never fear renewing members, every week until 16 June 2019 one lucky member who has renewed their membership will go into the draw for a special mystery prize! We'll be announcing the weekly winners on social media and via our email bulletins.  Click here to renew your membership   State/territory prizes for new members To sweeten the deal even further, new members who join before 16 June 2019 will go in the draw to win a prize, with each state/territory offering a unique prize! We will announce the winners on 20 June on social media and in our email bulletin. ACT: a ticket to the 2019 Oration presented by Rosie Batty in Canberra on August  NSW: a ticket to the annual Polka Dot Ball in Sydney SA: a limited edition A4 signed Penny Wong poster NT: a special A4 signed Malarndirri McCarthy poster WA: a limited edition A4 signed Anne Aly poster VIC: a copy of the historic Victorian Voluntary Dying Bill signed by Jill Hennessy QLD: a signed and framed A4 vintage Anna4QLD poster TAS: a copy of the historic Reproductive Health (Access to Terminations) Bill signed by Michelle O'Byrne Click here to join our movement for gender equity   Special Membership Month auction We have two beautiful items on auction raising funds to support progressive Labor women into Parliament. Bid on these items to not only win a fabulous piece of artwork but help our movement for gender equity. Auction closes 31 May 2019.  Large Rosie the Riveter poster signed by former Prime Minister Julia Gillard AC Bid here Poster signed by Deputy Leader Tanya Plibersek Bid here

If Bill Shorten is elected on the 18 May, he will for the first time in Australian history have equal numbers of men and women in the Labor caucus from which to select a gender equal cabinet. This will be a watershed moment for the Australian Labor Party and the nation. A twenty-five year project to lift the numbers of progressive women in parliament will reach its political zenith. Until Shorten’s powerfully emotional defence of his mother’s memory, most people have had little understanding of how important gender equality is to the Labor leader. But as a champion of affirmative action and equal opportunity for women in the Labor party I have seen Bill’s support for women up close and personal. Through our work together in the lead up to National Conference 2015 to lift the target for women candidates to 50%, I have seen the kind of leader Bill will be. Continue reading

Tomorrow is Mother’s Day and before chocolates, flowers and foot spas it used to be a day of political action by mums. With less than a week until federal election day let’s get behind the #MyMum online campaign sparked by Bill Shorten’s heartfelt speech about his mum Ann and the many women-focused policies that the Labor team are taking to the election.  Continue reading