CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY EMBARGOED AGAINST DELIVERY
PRIME MINISTER
SPEECH BY THE PRIME MINISTER TO
WOMEN'S ADVISERS CANBERRA 10 MAY 1984
I am happy to welcome here tonight Australia's principal
advisers on the Status of Women. I particularly want to
welcome those of you who have travelled from Perth,
Brisbane, Hobart, Darwin, Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne to
attend this two day meeting with members of the Office of
the Status of Women within my Department.
This is the first time since these meetings began to be held
that the Governments of Queensland and Tasmania have sent
representatives and I particularly welcome this recognition
by those two Governments of the importance of seeking out
and heeding the views of women.
I also want to welcome here tonight the members of the
Permanent Heads Task Force on the Status of Women, the
Secretaries of the nine departments and the Public Service
Board whose policies are most directly relevant to improving
the status of women. Sir Geoffrey Yeend, the Secretary of
my Department, leaders to this important and innovative Task
Force. Through it the Government aims to secure the highest
possible level of administrative support for implementing
our policies on women.
That we have already made tremendous progress in meeting
this goal is evident from the report which has been made
available to the advisers attending today's meeting. This
document was prepared by the Office of the Status of Women
at the direction of Senator Ryan who assists me in matters
to d'o with the status of women. It sets out in great detail
the progress the Federal Government has made towards
fulfilling its platform and policy speech promises on the
status of women. This document will be circulated as widely
as possible in order to demonstrate that the Government has
taken seriously its obligations to women.
2.
1 am very pleased to see here tonight thE! Opposition members
who have given the greatest support to constructive measures
towards improving the status of women. They, I know, believe
there should be a large degree of bipartisanship on such
important matters as removing discrimination from the
workplace, and encouraging women and girls to improve their
levels of skills, and hence their ability to raise their
labour market prospects.
The Government has already set in train a number of policy
initiatives or reviews designed to assist us to achieve
these goals. We have enacted the Sex Discrimination Act and
will be in a position to proclaim it within a month or so,
after we have appointed a Sex Discrimination Commissioner.
We have asked the Kirby Review of Labour Market! Training
Schemes to report to us specifically on how we can improve
labour market training prospects for Women. We have been
pursuing the objective of equal participation by women in
the Community Employment Program and we have set out to
ensure that girls have equal access with boys to our
participation and equity program and our computer awareness
program two important measures within our education
policies designed to improve retention rates and levels of
marketable skills.
I am also pleased to be able to state that our policy and
guidelines for the appointment of women to senior
administrative posts and to Government boards and
authorities has become a settled part of Government
appointments procedures. Since we achieved office we have
appointed more than 70 women to Government boards and
authorities, including as we announced last week, the
important appointment of Professor Di Verbury as General
Manager of the Australia Council. Professor Verbury's
appointment makes her the highest ranking female
Commonwealth Government officer.
Since we gained office we have made every effort to promote
women of merit within the public service. Tonight I am
pleased to be able to welcome Helen Williams, Ann Kern and
Jocelyn McGirr, the first women ever to be appointed as
Deputy Secretaries in Federal Departments. I am also very
glad' to welcome Hazel Moir and Sue Hamilton, both of whom
began work today as Assistant Secretaries in the Office of
the Status of Women. They join the increasing numbers of
women who have moved into the ranks of the Second Division
of the Public Service.
This week the Federal Government has introduced the first of
its several pieces of legislation to begin reforming the
Australian Public Service. Included in these reforms are
the introduction on Equal. Employment Opportunity Programs in
each Department and Authority. There wil. l now also be a
requirement that Departments make every effort to promote
women of talent to important positions within their ranks.
I plan to table the Government's Policy Discussion Paper on
affirmative action in Parliament on 29 May. I know you are
all looking forward to it and contributing to the
Australia-wide discussion of its proposals which will ensue.
You will recall that, when we introduced our Sex
Discrimination Legislation, many of the State Women's
offices were deluged with public inquiriE's about that
Federal Government initiative.
With this experience in mind, we are going to set up an
affirmative action hotline staffed by members of the Women's
Telephone Information Service in each State capital city.
We hope that most enquiries will be effectively dealt with
in this way.
I would nevertheless appreciate whatever contribution you
can make to community understanding of the assumptions and
expectations involved in this important policy area.
I take the view, and it is shared by my Ministers, that we
ultimately will be able to have more progressive government
and a better society if long lasting social reform is
implemented on the basis of genuine consultation and
co-operation in the development of policy. This is what we
are seeking to do in our approach to affirmative action.
As we approach both the Premiers' Conference next month and
the Federal Budget in August the Government is very
conscious that our prime task is to pay heed to the task of
governing the country well for all Australians, male
Australians and female Australians ( of whatever racial or
ethnic origin).
We recognise nevertheless that there are certain issues
which may be raised at this meeting which are relevant both
for the determination of the allocation of funds to the
States in this year's Premiers' Conference and in the
forthcoming Budget.
I will give careful consideration to whatever emerges from
this meeting for items on the Premiers' Conference agenda.
I can also assure you, as I have done before, that when the
Government comes to framing this year's Budget it will do so
with full cognizance of the impact the decisions it makes
could have on women. We shall ensure that within the
overall economic objectives of the Government the important
decisions we make this year on the budget. are made with full
knowledge of their impact on Australian women.
A
I look forward to hearing a full report on the outcome of
your two-day meeting and trust the rest of your
deliberations will be useful and will continue the
co-operative approach to this important policy area which I
know has always characterised your meetings.
GM3VRNMENT ACHIEVEMENTSFOR WflMEN
, This paper lists Govermient action and initiatives on the Status of Women to May 1984. It indicates the source of the ccmnitment to action
as follows: Party Platform ( PL) Policy Statemient The ALP and Women: Towards Equality ( PS) Prime Minister's Election Speech ( ES) other
Goverinent initiative ( GI)
Coumitment
1. Enact Caumnealth sex discrimination
legislation
2. Ratify the United Nations Covention on
the Elimination of all Fboms of
Discrimination Against Womnen
3. Expand legal aid
4. Extend the Family Court's jurisdiction
to all family law matters
Eliminate delays in proceedings and
overcrowing in the Family Court
6. Improve maintenance enforcement procedures
7. Lhslire consistent treatment of people in
de facto relationships
8. Reform ACT rape legislation
9. Encourage the training of police officers
in non-sexist attitudes
Examine amending the Broadcasting and
Television Act to prevent exploitation
or discrimination against woen
11. Return Office of the Status of Women to
the Department of the Prime Minister and
Cabinet SourcePresent Position
PL/ PS/ Act prohibiting discrimination on ground of sex, marital status or pregnancy in
ES employnent, education, accommnodation, provision of goods, services and facilities, disposal
of land, and administration of Ccmmonwealth laws and program, and sexual harassment in
employment and education passed on 7 March 1984 and assented to 21 March 1984. Will be
proclaimed following appointment of Sex Discrimination Com~ missioner and making of
regulations covering employment of wxnen in Defence Forces.
PLAPS Ratified 27 July 1983. In April 1984 Justice Elizabeth Evatt elected to the Comittee on the
Elimination of Discrimination against Wanen established under the convention. The Committee
considers progress made in the implementation of the Convention and reports annually throug~ h
the Ec~ onomic and Social Council to the General Assembly of the United Nations.
PS Additional salaried staff appointed in all legal aid agencies to expand services and reduce
reliance on private practitioners. Funding for community legal aid centres was doubled in
1983/ 84 Budget.
IL/ PS Negotiations with State Attorney's General on reference of powers are proceeding.
PLA'S Two additional Family Court judges have been appointed; significant increases of staff
( counsellors, registrars) are being sought through forward staffing estimates. Niew Family
Court registries have been opened in Wllongong, Bend igo, Orange and Dandenong.
PS Report of National Maintenance Inquiry has been tabled and public submissions and commuents
are being received.
PL/-PS NSW Law Reform Commission report on de facto relationships has been referred to the
Family law Council to make reccziwendations to the Attorney-General about Cosmonealth
action. The Attorney-General is considering ways of ensuring that all Cammonwealth
legislation adopts a consistent aproach to people in de facto relationships.
PL/ PS Draft ACT Crimes ( Amendment) Ordinance and Evidence ( Amendment) Ordinance will be
presented to ACT House of Assembly for commnent.
PL/ PS Matters affecting women now a part of basic Australian Federal Police training.
PS Australian Broadcasting Tribunal undertaking inquiry into exploitation of wanen
in advertising; Fair Exposure: Guidelines for the constructive and positive
portrayal and presentation of women in the media published by the Of'fice of the Status of
Wanen in 1984.
PS implemented. Office upgraded to a Division of the Department.
Present Position
12. Establish a Special Task Force on the
Status of Women at permanent head level
13. Establish consultation procedure with
womnen' s organisations throughout
Australia
14. Ensure equitable representation of
womnen on Goverrnent bodies
Introduce a new and expanded Children' s
Services Program
16. Introduce a new national Womnen's
Emergency Services Program
17. Introduce Med ibank
18. Extend access to free pharmaceuticals to
those beneficiaries at present excluded,
and reduce fees
19. Expand the Qmiunity Health Program to
develop wanen2 s health services
Expand the Family Planning Program
21. Establish a National occupational
Health and Safety Commission and
Institute
22. Support the Woe's Film Fund and seek
to increase women's arts funding
23. Investigate adequacy of unemployment
relief for married unemployed people
24. Examine ways of eliminating the inequity
created by the cohabitation rule re.
pensions and benefits
Increase family allowances for low
inr~-n families and replace family
income supplement with a schemie with
access for a greater number of families
26. Introduce a spouse carers allowance PS Implemented. Membership comprises the heads of the Departments of the Prime Minister
and Cabinet ( chair), Finance, Foreign Affairs, Eknployment and Industrial Relations,
Industry and Commnerce, Ediucation and Youth Affairs, Social Security, Immigration
and Ethnic Affairs, Attorney-General's Department and the Chairman of the Public
Service Board.
PS Preparatory discussion with wmen's organisations held November 1983.
membership of new national consultative body will be announced soon.
PS Has been given high Goverrnent priority. 7b April 1984, 71 womnen have been appointed
to such bodies.
PS/ ES An additional $ 10 million was provided in 1983A84 Budget for new projects with
commitment for extra $ 30 million in 1984/ 85.
PS $ 4 million provided in 1893/ 84 Budge for creation of WF. SP.
PLAPS Medicare implemented 1 February 1984
PS Currently under consideration
PS Currently being considered by a Government Members' s sub-carrnittee which is working on
development of Commonwealth's Community Health policy including aspects relating to
health
PS Additional $ 40,000 committed in 1983/ 84.
PS Interim Commission established to make recommuendations regarding the institute.
PS Australia Council has published research report oh-wanen in the arts. Office of the
Status of Women continues its membership and support of the Wmen's Film Fund.
PS under investigation.
PS Under examination
PS/ ES Family Income Supplement, additional pension and benefit for children and
mother: s/ guardian's allowance all increased in 1983/ 84 Budget.
PS Implemented 1 December 1983.
Commti tnentSource
Present Position
27. Extend entitlemnt for mother's/ guardian's
allowance to sole parents in receipt of
unemploysent benefit
28. maintain the individual as the tax unit
for personal income tax purposes, emphasise
the social security systern for further
family assistance
29. Increase the progressivity of the personal
income tax system regularly adjust the inca
tax schedule for inflation
Introduce employsent-generating programs to
which women will have equal access
31. Increase training and re-training
opportuni ties
32. Encourage improved vocational training
in secondary schools
33. Effective programs for teaching English
to migrant women
34. Equitable conditions for part-time workers
in Australian Governent enploynent
Ratify and imnplement ILOAC onvention 156
( 1981) Concerning Equal Opportunites and
Equal Treatmnt for Men and Wcmnen Wbrkers:
With Family Responsibilities
36. Introduce non-paid parental leave in
Australian Gaverrinent employnent
37. Discuss with the Tade Union movement means
of widening existing leave entitlements to
cover parental leave to care for the needs
of sick children and/ or other family PSImplemented 1 May 1984
PS Being considered in the 1984/ 85 Budget context.
PS The personal income tax system is being considered in the 1984/ 85 Budget context.
PS The Community Eknployment Program guidelines specify that projects other than Jobs
on Local Roads should provide equal access to Employment programs for men and women.
PS The Kirby Committee of inquiry reviewing labour market programs is considering the
employment, training and re-training needs of women, and in particular the adequacy of
existing programs in facilitating their training and entry or re-entry into the labour
market. Sex Discrimination Act 1984 makes unlawful discrimination against women in access
to training and re-training schemes.
PS See response under 43.
PS Additional $ 550,000 allocated in 1984/ 85 for child-minding in association with Adult Migrant
Ed~ ucation Program to enable more wamen to attend existing Enlish classes; these classes
are being advertised on the Special Broadcasting Service. More than half of people
attend1ing AMEP classes are female. $ 38. El allocated for English classes in 1983/ 84.
PS Legislation introducing permanent part-time work, with pro-rata benefits, will be
introduced in the 1984 Autumnn Sittings as part of the Public Service reform legislation.
PS Prime Minister announced in 1983 the Government' t commibtent to ratify. Ratification
being considered by Commonwealth and State Ministers for Labour.
PS Under active consideration by Public Service Board.
PS Action yet to be taken.
Comm~ itmrentSource
Conni tment
38.' Encourage greater participation of
disadvantaged groups through the provision
of education, child care, interpretation and
translation facilities
39. Base staffing in the Australian Public
on equity
Higher education institutions to undertake
positive measures with a view to achieving
equal opportunities and expanded roles for
women and girls in and through higher
education
41. Increase the entry of women and girls into
trades and non~-traditional occupation
42. Ensure that programs funded through the
Schools Camiission analyse impact on
the education of women and girls
43. Seek to direct funds for special projects
to improve the education of women and
girls
44. Direct funds to urxarade the teachina of
science, mathematics and technological
skills in primary schools SourcePresent Position
PS Additional $ 600,000 allocated in 1983/ 84 to cost-sharing arrangements with State
Goverments for provision of translation and interpretation services, mainly
in the health and education areas. A camputerised system is being introduced
to allow Department of In'migration and Ethnic Affairs Telephone Information
Service staff easier access to information on interpreters and resources;
new telephone equipment is being introduced to speed up the connecting of calls,
allow multi-party conference lines, etc.; a consultant's report on an improved
telephone network for TIS has been received.
PS Le-gislation requiring Commnonwalth Departments and prescribed statutory authorities
to develop and implement equal employsent opportunity programs for migrants, women,
Aborigines and the disabled will be introduced in the 1984 Autumn Sittings as part of the
Public Service Peform package.
PS Chapter 3 of the Connmonwealth Tertiary Ed~ ucation Comission' s recommendations for the
1984-87 triennium contains measures to improve women's access to higher education.
PLA'SUnder the CRAFT scheme a tax-exempt special incentive of $ 750 is being offered to employers
in 1984 to encourage an increase in the number of female apprentices in trade training other
than hairdressing. Eknployers who qualify for this incentive are also eligible for up to
another $ 1000, tax exempt, if they have to adapt facilities to accommodate female
apprentices. An audio-visual kit, " Technically Speaking" was launched in 1983 to
encourage girls to consider technical occupations. A similar kit on girls and comnputers
is planned.
PS The Participation and Eguity Program ( PEP) established in 1984 seeks to encourage young
people over the school leaving age to participate in useful and fulfilling education and
training activities in schools and TAFE. Priority is to be given to the expansion of
opportuities for girls, to encourage more equitable part icipation i* n all subject areas.
million has been allocated to schools and $ 28.5 to TAFE in 1984 under PEP.
The States Grants ( Schools Assistance) Act 1983 and the States Grants ( Education Assistance
Participation and Equity) Act 1983 require that, where funds are provided to a
co-educational school, the benefits of and opportunites created by expenditure of those
funds must, as far as practicable, be made available equally to male and female students.
The Schools Commission is currently reviewing programs to ensure that they meet the needs
of girls.
PS Commonwalth Schools ommission: $ 0.25 million has been set aside in 1984 to fund projects
promoting equal opportunity for girls in school systems and encouraging girls to broaden
their career options. See also the Participation and Equity Program ( above). The Computer
Elducation Program ( on which $ 6 million has been allocated in 1984) emphasises equal access
for girls and for female teachers.
PS The Minister for E1-iration and Yoit-h Affairn hac annoi re~ t--stablishnpent-of a
portfolio tWz-king Party to co-ordinate and improve the access of women and girls at all
levels of education. 11.
Present Position
Review levels of allowances and conditions PS Allowances increased in 1983/ 84 Budget and will be again reviewed for 1984/ 85 Budget. An
of eligibility of all education and training internal review of conditions of eligibility for TEAS has made recammendations which will
assistance be considered in the 1984/ 85 Budget context. A major OECD review of youth policies and
programs in Australia is expected to report in June.
46. Institute affirmative actions policies and PL/ PS DEYA equal employnent management plan will be launched by Minister and form
programs in the Department of Education and basis of consultation with employees and unions. Implementation of the plan will commence
the various Commonwealth Education Corrmissions. in July 1984. A. C. T. Schools Authority and Commonwealth Schools Conmission have equal
employment opportunity officers.
47. Increased assistance to approved first PS The First Home Owners Schene ( FHOS) was introduced in 1983/ 84. It provides up to $ 7,000
home buyers for first hane owners, subject to an income test, to enable them to put a deposit on a first
home.
48. Aim to double the provision of public PS The current Commonwealth/ State Housing Agreenent ( CSHA) is being renegotiated.
housing and ensure access by women
49. National enquiry into homelessness and PS The Department of Housing and Construction has ccmmissioned a firm of consultants to
inadequate housing undertake a national inquiry into homelessness and inadequate housing.
Examine supplementary rental assistance Proposals relating to supplementary rental assistance for pensioners and beneficiaries,
for pensioners and beneficiaries; provide including unemploynent beneficiaries, will be examined in the 1984/ 85 Budget context.
a scheme of relief assistance to private The Department of Social Security has completed a sample survey of those currently in
tenants in need receipt of supplementary assistance. The mortgage and Rent Relief Scheme provides relief
assistance to private tenants in need on a match funding basis with the States. The
Commonwalth provided $ 20 million for this purpose in 1983/ 84.
51. Queensland Women's Information Service GI The service was opened on 19 April 1984 to provide information to women in Queensland on
conmonwealth Government policies a-programs and to get feedback on what women in
Queensland want or need.
52. Aboriginal Wamen's Task Force' GI Established August 1983 to consult with Aboriginal women throughout Australia and
report to the Government. In February 1984 eleven Aboriginal Wmen were employed
as regional co-ordinaters under the Camunity ] nploment Program. A national
conference was held in Canberra from 30 March to 1 April 1984.
53. Wonen's Telephone Information Service GI Thirteen women have been employed under the Carmunity Rnployment Program to establish
a Women's Telephone Information Service in all State capitals to answer queries from
the public on Canmonwealth Government programs of assistance to women.
54. Government Policy Discussion Paper
on Affirmative Action for Women PL/ PS/ Paper to be tabled by the Prime Minister in May 1984.
ES I
ConmitmnentSource