Thursday, 7 March 2024

Ministers statements: gender equality

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:43): I am pleased to update the house on our nation-leading work in gender equality as we mark tomorrow International Women’s Day. We also do need to reflect on how far gender equality has come but more importantly reflect on how much more work we have to do. As we know, overwhelmingly it is women and girls who continue to experience gendered violence. One in five have experienced sexual violence; one in three have experienced physical violence. We also know that the gender pay gap has not closed, with a pay gap equivalent to women working for an average of 56 days for free every single year. Also, as the Minister for Health has outlined to the house, women’s health and wellbeing just is not taken as seriously as men’s. Also, the sexism and discrimination that affect all women is even worse for women from diverse communities.

Gender equality is not just a women’s issue. It affects all Victorians, and that means the responsibility to drive gender equality and end inequality also belongs to all of us. That is why through Our Equal State: Victoria’s Gender Equality Strategy and Action Plan we have that road map of action – a road map of action that is being delivered right across government. It also sets out that strong agenda for change, backed by funding, that is addressing women’s needs. Just a couple of examples: the work we are doing to provide free pads and tampons in public spaces, building on top of the work in schools, and $153 million for new women’s health services, ensuring women’s health gets the focus and funding it needs alongside men’s health. We have led the nation on gender equality, but there is so much more to do, and we will continue to do that hard work.

And, Speaker, if I can, thank you: thank you for acknowledging our former presiding officers, two women who led the way in this place.

Bridget Vallence: On a point of order, Speaker, in relation to question 428 to the Minister for Environment, it is still overdue. I have raised this point of order countless times. I understand that the Minister for Environment has some nearly 150 questions outstanding, but this is just one of them, and my community would like to hear the response to question 428.