Thursday, 7 March 2024

 Sonja TERPSTRA (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (09:55): I rise to make a contribution in regard to International Women’s Day this year, which falls on 8 March 2024, which is tomorrow. Politics as a system was designed by men for men. There were obviously no women at that series of meetings when the system was designed. Sadly, we see that when women do enter the political fray that is not uncommon to see them conforming to the system rather than working collectively to change it. I reflect on recent comments in the lead-up to the Dunkley by-election by the Honourable Sussan Ley, member for Farrer, with her tweet to Victorian women over the wrongful arrest of a man accused of sex crimes. Well, you know what, as a woman I call that out. I call out acting as a third-party mouthpiece for your leader. Actions have consequences and words matter, and a use-by date will absolutely come. Self-interest has a price.

I also call out the desire of powerful men to hold open the door to a political career for women. Guess what, you actually do not need them to do that for you. In the ALP we have affirmative action rules that open doors for you so that when you embark on your political career you do not need to be beholden to bloated old warlords or have them auspice your political career. You can do all those things yourself. Women do not need to do the bidding of men anymore or those who seek to bolster their own ministerial quotas, nor will women in our party allow our affirmative action rules to be undermined in this way.

To women everywhere, remember when you enter politics that not only do you have a chance to make a difference to the communities that you are now incredibly privileged to serve, but also you have a chance to change the system, to think and act collectively and to make it easier for the next woman and the ones that come after you. Let us reflect on and remember this on International Women’s Day – (Time expired)