Page 399 - Week 02 - Thursday, 8 March 2007

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I am not denying that discrimination based on gender leads to persistent inequality between men and women on many levels in life. But the concept of gender applies to both men and women. There are key shared responsibilities that we can continue to teach young people about—that, as they grow, they must learn to share resources, make decisions about their own livelihoods, plan for their futures and what roles both men and women play in the family structure and then, in turn, how they fit into their community.

It can be said that gender equity is a social justice and human rights issue and is perceived on many different levels depending on its application, whether it be within the Canberra community or in a country stricken by poor financial resources, infrastructure or inability to compete in a global economy.

However, as legislators in the ACT Legislative Assembly we can, on varying levels through the course of our work, and without need for specific recognition, achieve gender equity when a policy, program or project auspiced by government is delivered—yet each policy, program or project affects men and women differently. I note some of the good programs that Mr Gentleman talked about and acknowledge the Minister for Women in the chamber at this time and thank her for pursuing those too.

Gender equity still does require an ongoing transformation of women’s participation within our society and can only be achieved if men and women are working together. In today’s society I believe we are as a whole making a much more concerted effort to look at issues based on merit and ability and to seek, as mentioned before, a more socially just environment. If we can see the sometimes unintended consequences of actions of the past and seek to rectify them, this is a sign of a maturing society.

If we take Canberra as an example, I believe we have a community that is certainly taking a lead on equitable opportunity in the areas of education, social structure and employment. Whilst Mr Gentleman and the Labor Party talk about the possible negatives of WorkChoices in Australia, I think they remain to be seen. However, I flag and have flagged before that I do have concerns in regard to some of those areas, particularly, nonetheless, for single women; I have been on the record as saying that. But today I am not going to mar that with any more politics. I do not think this is a day for political views; it is a day for a bipartisan approach. It is certainly an issue that needs a bipartisan approach and I do note that a gentleman—Mr Gentleman—has brought this on, and I thank him for that.

DR FOSKEY (Molonglo) (4.17): I think it is quite a stroke of luck or coincidence that on International Women’s Day this was the topic that was pulled out of the hat. But perhaps there were about six or seven entries on the same topic; you never can be sure.

There is a lot to say on this one and there is no doubt that to start we do need to acknowledge that in the ACT women are in a relatively privileged position, certainly in regard to much of the rest of the world but perhaps in regard to Australia as well. I want to express my respect to the Minister for Women, because I have had plenty of evidence that she has got a strong commitment to this. It is not just a job; it is something that the minister really believes in and that I believe she lives in her life.


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