Premier raises stakes in gender debate; plans historic Women’s Summit
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will go to National Cabinet this week with a proposal for a wide-ranging summit on gender inequality, harassment and violence.
While Palaszczuk said the focus of the meeting “will undoubtedly be the vaccine rollout,” she believed Commonwealth, State and Territory leaders should also respond to community calls for action on women’s issues.
Palaszczuk in 2016 pushed the Council of Australian Governments to support a family and domestic violence summit and now wants a broader national forum for issues to be raised and resolved.
Citing ongoing issues with gender inequality in the workplace, including the pay and superannuation gap, lack of affordable childcare, and employee harassment, Palaszczuk said there was “a huge wave of support for women to have their voices heard”.
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“I think the time is now right to have a National Women’s Summit,” Palaszczuk said.
Palaszczuk is Australia’s most senior female politician and will soon become the federation’s longest-serving woman in power. She will write to other leaders to seek their support for a summit she believes could change the future.
“I honestly think this could be a significant moment in time,” Palaszczuk said.
Palaszczuk applauded women for telling their stories.
