Wednesday, 8 March 2023

Ministers statements: International Women’s Day

Natalie HUTCHINS (Sydenham – Minister for Education, Minister for Women) (14:05): I rise to update the house that today is International Women’s Day, and this year marks 100 years since Victorian women won the right to stand for this Parliament. Unfortunately it took another 10 years to get a woman elected. But decades of quotas and affirmative action mean that today 54 per cent of this side of the house, the Labor Party side, are women, and 64 per cent of the ministers around our cabinet table are women. In addition, 54 per cent of seats on government boards are now held by women thanks to our proactive women on boards policy. In Victoria equality is not negotiable, and we have delivered record funding to support gender equality, ensuring that women from all walks of life have access to the best opportunities right here.

For too long periods have been stigmatised and there have been too many women experiencing period poverty. We have already delivered the nation-leading reform of providing period products free in government schools, and now we are expanding this to install free pad and tampon machines at up to 700 locations across this state. This includes public hospitals, courts, train stations, TAFEs, public libraries and major cultural institutions.

Equal representation provides a better gender lens on policy, and we know quotas work and affirmative action works. I know that we can do better. This place can do better. It is a responsibility of all of us to do what we can to make sure this Parliament represents all people. We want to live in a fairer, more equal Victoria, where all women and girls can live safely without stigma and bias, and can be and do anything they aspire to.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Frankston!