Page 734 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 8 March 2016

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Finally, Madam Speaker, I would like to take the opportunity to speak about the 2016 ACT Women’s Awards. I look forward to announcing the winners of the awards at an awards ceremony at the High Court this evening. It is also an opportunity to celebrate with the many women in our community who are quietly shaping our city through their contribution in leadership, mentoring and promoting the diversity of women.

While as a community there has been significant change and attitudinal shift in women’s lives, women’s roles and how our society views women, there is still a long way to go. As a community and within our own spheres of influence, we must commit to take pragmatic action to accelerate gender parity so that women can contribute equally to the economic, political and social life of the ACT; women are able to work and have a family life; and, more importantly, women are free to live their lives without discrimination, harassment and violence.

Madam Speaker, I present a copy of the statement:

International Women’s Day—Ministerial statement, 8 March 2016.

I move:

That the Assembly take note of the paper.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

International Women’s Day

MS BERRY (Ginninderra—Minister for Housing, Community Services and Social Inclusion, Minister for Multicultural and Youth Affairs, Minister for Sport and Recreation and Minister for Women) (11.15): I move:

That this Assembly:

(1) notes:

(a) that 8 March is International Women’s Day;

(b) that the support of the ACT Government for the Social and Community Services Equal Pay Case delivered significant improvements to the equity of women in low-pay sectors;

(c) that women continue to be over-represented in low income households, in low-pay sectors and in workforces where there is a high level of casual employment;

(d) that financial security is an important determinant of women’s health and well-being in our community; and

(e) that gender inequality is the primary factor underpinning violence against women;


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