News Release

 

WOMEN WATCH OUT - THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS ON THE LOOSE

 

12 August 2006

The impact the federal government is having on the lives of Australian women will be put under the microscope at a women's conference organised by SA Unions.

Drawing together women from the union movement and community organisations, the conference will look at how the government tries to control and manipulate women across many levels.

SA Unions Secretary, Janet Giles says women need to present a united front to ensure their views are not ignored.

"There are some very obvious ways in which the federal government's policies directly affect women - for example, on the issues of maternity leave, childcare and abortion."

"But there are many other policies where the government's influence may not be as obvious, but is often just as profound, especially in areas such as work rights and welfare."

"We are starting the conference with a panel discussion entitled "Women Watch Out - What's going on?" which will examine areas such as poverty and welfare, work, youth and indigenous and non English speaking background women's concerns."

"We'll then hear of the New Zealand experience from former government minister and now leader of one of that country's biggest unions, Laila Harre of the National Distribution Union."

"New Zealand is streets ahead of Australia in relation to many women's rights issues, and we hope to gain valuable insight into effectively campaigning for change."

"By the conference end, we hope to have forged strong links, set priorities for change and committed to a comprehensive campaign to make that change a reality."

"The Howard Government is extraordinarily paternalistic, if not downright patronising when it comes to issues affecting women.  This conference is a step towards achieving sweeping change and giving women greater control over their lives", Ms Giles says.