NSW Labor today stands with the global community in celebrating International Women’s Day, and embrace the theme of #BreakTheBias, promising as the NSW Opposition to continue to advocate for and act in the advancement of gender equality.
Today also stands as a timely call to action for the NSW Liberal National Government, who have failed to deliver on key measures to better protect women.
NSW Labor call for immediate action from the Liberal National Government on existing lapsed commitments.
The NSW Sexual Assault Strategy expired in 2021. Neither Women’s Health NSW, the peak organisation for women’s health centres which supports sexual assault victim survivors, nor Full Stop have been consulted on any review of the existing strategy, nor a new strategy.
In September 2021 BOCSAR reported sexual assault reports have increased in NSW over the last 24 months, up 16.2 per cent year-on-year.
The NSW Domestic & Family Violence Blueprint for Reform 2016-21: Safer Lives for Women, Men and Children, expired in 2021.
Without an active plan there is nothing holding the Government accountable nor ensuring ongoing action.
One of the ‘Premier’s Priorities’ in relation to domestic violence is to reduce the number of domestic violence re-offenders by 25 per cent by the year 2023. In 2015 – 2019 this target was set for 2021, however in 2019 it was extended until 2023 when it became apparent a number of initiatives funded by the Government were failing to reduce the rate of reoffending.
In the past six years, since this was made a ‘Premiers Priority’ the rate of Domestic Violence reoffending in New South Wales has increased 3.9 per cent.
This was made a priority under former Premier Gladys Berejiklian. NSW Labor asks Dominic Perrottet to confirm it as one of his priorities and take immediate action.
“International Women’s Day is a paramount day on the international calendar, serving as a reminder of both the barriers society have overcome and the ones we must commit ourselves to tearing down in the future," NSW Shadow Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Jodie Harrison, said.
“Gender equality, socially and economically, is not an issue we want to play politics with, we just want the Government to take meaningful action.
“The past few years in relation to women’s safety and economic progression have been ones peppered with grand announcements with very little follow through.
“NSW Labor welcomes all announcements to further the progression and safety of women in our state, but we need to see the Government make these plans realities.”
IMAGE: Jodie Harrison MP with her NSW Labor colleagues in the leadup to International Women's Day.
