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ANNUAL REPORT 2003 – 2004(delivered 5 October 2004)
Women Into Politics, a non-party political coalition of women’s organisations that aims to increase the representation of women, has concluded its twelfth year of operation, very conscious that a growing conservatism in the community and in politics has not always been helpful to women. During the 2003-2004 year, Women Into Politics continued its program of education, seminars, letter-writing and lobbying the political parties, and it has followed and commented on issues that threaten the strength and quality of women's representation. The current political climate remains very difficult for advocating equality and representation. Defending attacks on women's rights is now more often needed than ever. The Howard federal government and the Carr NSW government continued to sideline women's groups. The Howard government will communicate only with four women's groups chosen for funding when it was first elected. Although footballers, soldiers and small groups of angry fathers-after-divorce have funding and easy access to government, those mainstream women's groups that are out of favour and are now without a voice have struggled on to keep our organisations alive and active, and have necessarily been very efficient with the use of voluntary work, subscriptions and occasional donations. Honour for our SecretaryOn a cheerful note, Women Into Politics was delighted to hear that Joan Bielski, Honorary Secretary of WIP for about thirteen years since its inception, was awarded the Order of Australia (AO) in the New Year Honours List 2004, "for services to the community, particularly through programs to encourage women's participation in political life and through continued contributions to the principles of equal opportunity, access to education and social reform." Vale the Department for WomenWomen Into Politics, along with other organisations, involved itself in the issue of supporting the review and reform of the NSW Department for Women when the Carr government first flagged its intention to abolish the Department and instead create a smaller women's unit in the Premier's Department. This was the latest initiative in the systematic dismantling by the Carr government of support structures for women's status and equality. Representatives of Women Into Politics attended meetings of a hastily formed group to lobby the Carr government to reconsider. Unfortunately, despite a spirited and well supported campaign, the Carr government was not moved, and it proceeded with the defunding and abolition of the Department for Women. What remains is called the Premier's Office for Women. The budget of the Women's Department was a modest $5million, and the budget of the new Office in 2004 is half of that, $2.5million. In 2005, the budget will be further drastically reduced to $1million and staffing will shrink again. It is to be hoped that the new Office at least has access to the Premier, with the ability to represent women's interests to government and to comment on proposed legislation and its likely effects on women. Federal ElectionDuring the long election campaign for the 9 October 2004 federal election, women's issues have been sidelined even more than usual it seems. Women need female parliamentarians to be active and talented women with a full understanding of the influence that feminist principles and women's interests should generally exert in balanced decision making for the Australian population. However, for this election campaign, the most media-noticed women are a minister and a shadow minister speaking in their ministerial roles - Julia Gillard and Jenny Macklin. At least these are two talented women, but we have heard little in the media of women candidates, though we wish them well. We are pleased to note that Women's Electoral Lobby, one of our coalition member organisations, has put effort into forming federal policy (at its conference in June), and has launched and circulated a voting guide, listing policies of the various political parties side by side on issues of relevance to women. WEL asks women to use their votes well. It is unfortunate that the federal election has been turned into an auction for votes, with promises of money based on the interests of voters in marginal seats. Some commentators have called this profligate spending. Women are of interest mainly as hip pockets in marginal seats. Unfortunately there is much work to be done for women's rights, equality and representation just to avoid going in to reverse. At the same time as women's groups have been defunded, obscene quantities of money have been promised for sport, including men's wealthy football clubs (for the which the Coalition has promised "at least $26million" during the election campaign). Representation of WomenIn 2003, following the March 2004 elections, the reported percentage of women elected to the NSW Parliament was at 26.9%, more only than in Tasmania (25%) and Western Australia (25.3%); but less than in the other states and territories (ACT - 41.2%, Queensland - 37.1%, South Australia - 31.9%, Victoria - 30.3%, and NT - 28%). The thoughtful letter written by Women Into Politics after the NSW Parliamentary elections as previously reported was unfortunately not productive. The letter went to all NSW women Members in both Upper and Lower Houses congratulating them on their election, and asking them to be more active and public in promoting women's welfare and in scrutinising government policies, programs and government priorities as expressed in annual budgets. The fact that women were not a priority of the Carr government was pointed out with examples. We must conclude from subsequent events that either the women members are not sympathetic to the needs of women or that they have little or no influence on their parties' decision making. Women in NSW deserve better than this. Families, Maternity Leave and the SDAWomen Into Politics has been disturbed the increasing trend of governments to ignore women and by the Howard government's actions to relegate them to stereotypical roles along with minor targeted rewards. This comes at the expense of women and their status in the general community, of the recognition of women as individuals, and of gender equality. This trend is reflected in the politically planned powerlessness of women, even as parliamentarians, to influence the national agenda. The major parties in the federal sphere have actually refrained from talking about "women" and instead now speak mainly about "families" and "mothers" when referring to issues that are crucial to women in their work and family life. Women whose primary connection with the world is not in the production and care of young children seem no longer to exist for the government. Neither major party in the federal parliament has committed to maternity leave as enunciated by Pru Goward (HREOC Commissioner) and Natasha Stott-Despoja (Democrats), and as is commonly a right in developed countries. Nor have they adequately dealt with industrial matters like working hours and pseudo-casual work. They aim instead to attract the "grateful vote" - the votes of young mothers - with bulk-payment baby bonuses and family benefits. In another example of disdain for women, the Sex Discrimination Act (1984) was seen by the Howard government as fair game in a bid to force an Amendment of it in order to favour males with special teaching scholarships. This was in contradiction of the aims and spirit of this landmark legislation. There has been no discrimination against men in teaching (on the contrary, among the low numbers of males who teach in primary schools a disproportionate number are school principals). Men simply decline to take up teaching, finding other options more attractive, because they see teaching as lacking the salary, perks and status of most other jobs. An increase in numbers of men entering teaching might be encouraged if all teachers were accorded higher status for the important job they do, and all teachers deserve to be better rewarded with higher salaries. The Women Into Politics 2001 publication A Women's Charter for Political Reform: a charter for political equality for women and for good government for all Australia citizens remains a relevant commentary on Australian politics, providing ideas for change, although a new edition would now have more to say. This publication noted the ongoing disillusionment of the electorate, especially of women, with the conduct of politics and the behaviour of political parties and with the downgrading of women's priorities and women's issues. Local Government SeminarsThe NSW local government elections were held in March 2004 (after being postponed from their original September 2003 date). Women Into Politics, in association with the Local Government Women's Association, held Saturday seminars for potential candidates and interested women prior to the election. They were held at Ashfield in late 2003, North Sydney and Dubbo (in February). Information from women experienced as local government councillors and managers was well received by the women participants. The processes of organising for the election, how council activity proceeds, and the administrative aspects of councils were included. Successful women councillors told how they had handled specific issues, and it became obvious that there is no one method of operating in your local Council. The point was also made that because of the wide scope of matters dealt with by Councils, it is impossible to be an expert on all. When the women councillors did their homework and became conversant with particular issues, they found that they often knew more than longterm male councillors around the table! Women who were potential candidates went away from the seminar feeling encouraged. At the local government elections, at least three members of Women Into Politics were elected to their local Councils - Cr Anne Field, Cr Keri Huxley (who then became Deputy Mayor) and Lucille McKenna. We also know of three Councillors who unfortunately were not re-elected. There was rejoicing among women when Ms Clover Moore was elected Lord Mayor of Sydney, putting a damper on the long-running party political machinations in relation to the City of Sydney Council and its boundaries. Annual DinnerThe Women Into Politics Annual dinner held in November 2003 was held at Women's College, University of Sydney, and it was devoted to celebrating the 80th birthday of Joan Bielski, Honorary Secretary of Women Into Politics since its commencement in 1992. It was a wonderful occasion. Many of Joan's family, friends and colleagues over her long and illustrious career were present as well as our current Women Into Politics members, and the occasion was greatly enjoyed by all. Joan has a long history of service to women, and it was a pleasure for WIP to have the opportunity to honour her on reaching 80 while still being active in the quest for equality and fairness for women. We give recognition and many thanks to Judith Steanes and Anne Barber for an enormous effort in managing the arrangements for the 2003 Annual Dinner, in seeking out people, information and resources, and for the professional display of photographs at the Dinner. During the evening, chaired by Wendy McCarthy, Joan's relatives and many colleagues came forward and made short speeches related to Joan's life and service across the years. There were many moments of good humour. For a number of reasons, including uncertainties about the federal election date and the difficulties this created for possible speakers, it was decided not to hold an Annual Dinner in 2004. CommitteeI would like to thank the members of the Women Into Politics Committee for their continuing support. Following a review of the organisation's modes of operation, decisions that had been made for some changes were implemented. Greater use of list email for communication among members of the committee has proved efficient and has obviated the need for formal face-to-face meetings on a monthly basis. Three of these have been held during 2004. Members continue to be kept informed by mailouts, or by email if they prefer and supply an email address. During the current year, mailing lists were reviewed and the technology upgraded. In this major development, the committee was assisted by Cate Turner, for whose advice and computer skills we were most grateful. This work was completed in time for use in organising the Annual Dinner. Deputy President Judith Steanes continued also as correspondence secretary. Joan Bielski continued as Honorary Secretary, Valerie Levy continued as Honorary Treasurer, and we were pleased to have Anna Logan as our Honorary Auditor again. All members of the committee are warmly thanked for their support throughout the year, especially in relation to the celebration of Joan Bielski's 80th birthday and the local government seminars. Barbara McGarity 5 October 2004 Homepage Last updated 14 November 2006 |
