Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins yesterday announced a draft Gender Equality Bill proposing targets,  action plans and reporting for government departments, the public sector and local governments.

Women’s Health Loddon Mallee executive officer Tricia Currie was supportive of the proposed bill.

“It’s saying our community expects fairness and equity for all, and the way we’ll work towards this equity for women is by getting our house in order for government,” she said.

“We’ll certainly look to see whether we can contribute.”

CNV chief executive Margaret Augerinos said the bill was a welcome step forward.

“Government is a big employer and through its policies and practices can help to influence the behaviour and actions of decision makers and senior executives to be more mindful as to how their policies and services impact on women and men,” she said.

“For example, everyone benefits when flexible work policies and practices are implemented such as flexible working arrangements which help women and men manage their home commitments and work/life balance.”

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She said laws could also influence policy shifts, social norms, cultural expectations and popular attitudes in the community. 

“Many in the community believe ‘gender inequality’ is a myth and reject outright any suggestion that women’s experience of inequality is structural,” Ms Augerinos said.

“Gender inequality is real and manifests itself in all sorts of ways.”

Examples included violence against women and their children, the gender pay gap, and reduced opportunities to participate in decision making.

“The gender pay gap in Victoria is around 12 per cent. In 2017, Victorian men still earned $193.40 more per week than Victorian women. This impacts on women’s economic security both in the short and long term,” Ms Augerinos said.

She said women were also underrepresented on boards and in leadership roles.  

“In some sectors you would struggle to find women represented on boards or in senior management positions,” Ms Augerinos said.

“I find it hard to believe that there are no qualified or capable women in these industries.

“Quotas set expectations and overseas experience has found these to be a successful strategy in promoting and achieving higher rates of gender equality.”

The success of gender equality legislation in the top three ranking countries on the International Gender Gap Index – Iceland, Finland and Norway – was cited in the government’s rationale for the bill.

“The evidence is clear: when public bodies are compelled to promote gender equality by law, gender equality improves,” a government statement said.

Ms Hutchins said good intentions weren’t cutting it.

“The equality between women and men needs to be law,” she said.

“We need gender equality urgently, but the pace of change is too slow.

“Its 2018 and women are still paid less than the men they work with. Gender equality is essential for economic prosperity.”

An online survey and a submissions process have been established and will be open until September 28.

Face-to-face consultations with stakeholders are scheduled to start later this month, and a Citizens’ Jury is planned for September.

The government aims to introduce the bill to parliament in March 2019.

To make a submission or to have your say, click here.

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