Dan Repacholi (Hunter, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to speak on the motion moved by the member for McPherson. I'd like to begin by thanking the honourable member for raising a topic that is so important. The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is on 11 February this year. The day gives recognition to the amazing contributions that women and girls have made and continue to make in science. But it also brings attention to the fact that, for far too long, far too few women have had the opportunity to make their mark in an industry which has not been as supportive or open to them as it traditionally has been for men. But this is beginning to change, and I say it's about time. I hope not only that days such as International Day of Women and Girls in Science can serve as a way to recognise what has been achieved by women; I also hope that they can act as an encouragement to all women, especially young girls, to go out and pursue whatever they are interested in and whatever they are passionate about. There should be no barriers to opportunities that are available to you.

Elizabeth Blackburn is just one example of an Australian woman who has made a significant impact in science and has helped shape the modern medical world. Elizabeth Blackburn made a scientific discovery far beyond my ability to comprehend that has significantly impacted cancer research and ageing research. She went on to win the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, making her the first Australian woman to do so. It is women like this that the International Day of Women and Girls in Science is all about, and I want to see more girls encouraged to go on and change the world, just like Elizabeth Blackburn did. This is part of making a better future for Australia.

Our world has advanced rapidly in recent decades, largely on the back of science. It's sad to think that, in this time, many women found it hard to have the chance to make their mark. Imagine how much our country and world will advance when we're harnessing the minds and intellect of all who have a passion and interest, without letting someone's gender have a say in whether or not their ideas are worthy. Opportunities for both men and women in all industries and all fields create opportunities for our country—opportunities for incredible advancements in health and technology, just to name a couple, and this means that we have the opportunity to build a better future. And it is this party, the Labor Party, and this Labor government who are champions of opportunity for women in this country. As everyone in this place would be aware, we have a record number of women on the front bench, and we are very proud to have had the first female Prime Minister, hopefully the first of many more to come over future decades. It's not only science that women have made amazing contributions to; it's also the fields of technology, engineering and mathematics, which they offer so much to.

As I've already mentioned many times in this place, I'm a proud father of Zoe and Asha. I want my girls, and all other girls and women, to have the same opportunities as anyone else in this country. In my first speech in this place, I promised that I would fight every day to make sure that we have a more equal and fair society to pass on to future generations. This includes the areas of science, technology, engineering and maths.

Women have made incredible contributions in all aspects of STEM. It is important to recognise and celebrate that. But it is also vital that we acknowledge the sad reality that women have been underrepresented in these areas and there are still huge improvements that need to be made, and I'm proud to be part of a government that is committed to equality for all.

See this speech in context