TANYA PLIBERSEK MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR EDUCATION
SHADOW MINISTER FOR WOMEN
MEMBER FOR SYDNEY

LINDA BURNEY MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR FAMILIES AND SOCIAL SERVICES
MEMBER FOR BARTON

SENATOR JENNY MCALLISTER
SHADOW CABINET SECRETARY
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE LABOR LEADER IN THE SENATE
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMMUNITIES AND THE PREVENTION OF FAMILY VIOLENCE
 
AUSTRALIAN WOMEN WANT ACTION, NOT JUST WORDS
 

Labor sincerely hopes that the announcements made by the Prime Minister today will lead to lasting, positive change for Australian women. It is long overdue.
 
We already know so much about what needs to change.
 
So much of the work has been done. So many recommendations have been made. What we’ve really been lacking is a government willing to act on them.
 
Words matter, but actions matter more.
 
There is a pile of reports sitting on the Prime Minister’s desk about women’s safety. We’ve had reports by the Family Law Council, the Law Reform Commission, the Human Rights Commission. We’ve had state led reviews and Royal Commissions. We’ve had parliamentary committee reports. And more than a year ago, the Government received a report from the Sex Discrimination Commissioner about stopping workplace sexual harassment, including 55 recommendations that the Prime Minister hasn’t done anything serious to implement.

Labor is willing to work with the Government on the next National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women, which is due to start in June 2022. We also hope to be invited to, and consulted on, any national summit to discuss strategies to prevent violence against women.
 
Most importantly, Labor doesn’t want to see things for Australian women go backwards, against the evidence. For example, Scott Morrison’s shameful abolition of the Family Court, his defunding of the National Family Violence Prevention Legal Services Forum, or his attempts to make women in crisis drain their own superannuation accounts to be able to escape a violent relationship.
 
Today’s announcements can’t be yet another political fix from a Government that seemsmore concerned about itself than anybody else.
 
The Australian people want to see the Prime Minister take responsibility, and today’s Cabinet reshuffle has failed to demonstrate that.
 
MONDAY, 29 MARCH 2021