Thursday, 7 March 2024

 Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for Housing, Minister for Water, Minister for Equality) (12:09): I rise today to celebrate and recognise the extraordinary contribution of women across my three portfolios of housing, equality and water. In Victoria equality is not negotiable, and we know that all too often LGBTIQA+ women, which includes trans and gender-diverse women, are in fact at the heart of the work we are doing in our 10-year plan Pride in Our Future. This is about inclusion, engagement, safety, dignity, recognition and visibility. I am proud to stand with my LGBTIQA+ sisters around the state and indeed around Australia to confirm that we will stand with our communities to make sure that equality continues to be delivered under an Allan Labor government.

In housing we are determined to support opportunities for women in projects, housing programs and construction under our Building Equality Policy. We do know that one fantastic example is the Dunlop Avenue redevelopment, supported by the Big Housing Build, in Ascot Vale. Forty-two per cent of the construction effort in that project was in fact provided by women.

We also know that there is a huge shout-out needed for women working across our social and community services sector, whose work value has been the subject of an equal remuneration order following the pay equity test case advanced and championed by the late great Linda White. I also want to acknowledge Sarah Toohey, Deb Di Natale, Caitlin Butters, Jennifer Beveridge and Juanita Pope from a range of different housing organisations who advocate tirelessly for residents for community services and for the sector.

Across water, there are so many wonderful examples of women in water from the technical and scientific space right through to the work of the corporations, agencies and authorities. It was wonderful to see that Barwon Water has increased women in technical support roles from 3 to 26 per cent. I am a proud supporter of so many of the women in water, and I commend them for their work ahead of this International Women’s Day.

The PRESIDENT: Before I call the next question, I acknowledge in the chamber a former member of the chamber, Marg Lewis.