Page: 21101
The Hon. JAN BURNSWOODS [11.35 p.m.]: Tomorrow is International Women's Day, and I will be joining some 900 other women and girls at the traditional UNIFEM breakfast. It is always an inspiring occasion, with a guest speaker from a country or a person that is a recipient of aid raised by UNIFEM. The breakfast has a very large number of representatives from schools, with tables of schoolgirls from years 8 to 12. All sorts of women from a whole variety of sectors of the community will attend. There are always inspiring speeches. One I particularly remember from last year was given by Sandra Nori, the Minister for Women, who spoke very passionately about the abortion issue. She then saw it developing as a series of moves to take away the right of choice from women. How right she proved to be, and how fortunate it is that some of her fears have been proved to be unfounded due in part to the alliance of women across party boundaries in Canberra.
International Women's Day has a very long and proud history. So many battles have been won and so many gains have been made. On the other hand, as we know, there is still a long way to go. Focusing again on Canberra, the Howard Government's WorkChoices legislation will impact most substantially on lower paid workers and women in particular, who are overrepresented amongst lower paid workers, casual and part-time workers and so on. The other major issue receiving so much concern and attention at the moment—again, largely the responsibility of the Federal Government—is the parlous situation in the provision of childcare, both the increasing cost of childcare and the increasing shortage of places for women trying to juggle work and family responsibilities. Many must often feel that not very much has changed. There have been many gains, for example, in the parliaments of Australia, particularly from some parties more than others. I pay tribute to the slow but steady increase in women from the Labor Party. Unfortunately, the Coalition parties lag behind in most States and in Canberra. Nevertheless, a lot has been gained.
Unfortunately, some of the old prejudices and stereotypes continue and, even more unfortunately, sometimes they are expressed by women. On a small negative note I draw attention to and very much regret the article by Elizabeth Farrelly in the Sydney Morning Herald last week, a very tendentious article relating to Redfern and planning announcements. She described the local member of Parliament at the Minister's media conference, whom she did not bother to name, as a "stiletto-heeled blonde" who "was like the Minister's nodding dog". I was astounded when I read the article and I was even more astounded when I spoke to Kristina Keneally, the member for Heffron, the local member concerned. Not only are the descriptions absolutely appalling, prejudiced and stereotyped but Kristina Keneally spoke at the press conference, answered a question and was duly reported in at least part of the print media and on radio. Many of the other things said in the article were just as inaccurate. But to end of a positive note, I wish everyone a happy International Women's Day.
[Time for debate expired.]
Motion agreed to.
The House adjourned at 11.40 p.m. until Wednesday 8 March 2006 at 11.00 a.m.
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