Tanya Plibersek, Minister for the Status of Women, has asked the Council on Reducing Violence Against Women and Children to come up with a national plan. submissions to the Council are being invited at present. The deadline for submissions is July 31 so hurry. Details on how to make a submission.
The Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee is conducting an inquiry into the effectiveness of the federal Sex Discrimination Act. This is an important opportunity to argue that the powers of the Commissioner be increased, the exemptions from the Act removed and that the scope of the Act be extended to cover new areas such as family responsibilities. Several women’s organisations are making submissions. See details here. Deadline for submissions is 1 August which is an absurdly short timeframe. Make sure you contact the Senate and make a submission or ask for an extension to the deadline.
Read Elizabeth Broderick, the Sex Discrimination Commissioner’s agenda for equality for women and men in Australia, launched in Sydney this week.