Friday, 18 April 2008
Sex Discrimination Commissioner wraps up national tour in Queensland
Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick will finish her national ‘Listening Tour’ in Queensland next week before returning to Sydney and setting the priorities for her five-year term.
Commissioner Broderick has been travelling around Australia since late November meeting with women and men of all ages and from all walks of life in a bid to find out what the Australian public thinks needs to be done to bring about equality between women and men.
“There is no doubt that balancing work with family and caring responsibilities remains a major challenge for many,” Commissioner Broderick said.
“We have been told at every consultation we’ve held around Australia that a paid maternity leave scheme is an urgent and essential measure.
“I was also staggered to hear of the desperate financial situations many Australian women find themselves in when they retire – a legacy of discriminatory policies and practices of the past, the difficulties for women to remain in paid work over their lives and the pay equity gap that still exists between women and men when they are in paid work.
“Sexual harassment also appears to be continuing at an alarming rate. We simply have to educate people that this type of behaviour is not only on the same spectrum as other violence against women but it is unlawful and has been for nearly a quarter of a century,” Ms Broderick said.
Queensland Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Susan Booth said the Queensland consultations were an important opportunity for Queenslanders to have a say in a more equal future for Australians.
“I urge Queenslanders to have their say on the important gender based issues we face as a country – particularly concerns around women and work and the economic independence of women,” Ms Booth said.
Information from the six-month national ‘Listening Tour’ will be analysed and used to develop Commissioner Broderick’s agenda for her five-year term.
The ‘Listening Tour’ has included a companion virtual tour, featuring an interactive website with a blog, case studies and videos and contributions can still be made online by going to http://www.humanrights.gov.au/listeningtour/.
Commissioner Broderick will co-host a community consultation with the Mackay Regional Council for Social Development Ltd on Monday 21 April from 2.00 pm – 4. 00 pm at the Mackay Grand Mercure Suites, 64 Word Street, MacKay. She will also co-host a community consultation with the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Commission on Tuesday 22 April from 9.30 am – 11.30 am at the Mercure Hotel and Hotel Ibis, 85-87 North Quay, Brisbane.
Media contact: Louise McDermott on (02) 9284 9851 or 0419 258 597
