Damian Hale (Solomon, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Each year around the world International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8. This is a day when women throughout the world come together to celebrate life as women and the progress made to advance equality for women and to assess the challenges that remain. It is a day when women are recognised for their achievements, without regard for divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. This special day also provides an opportunity to consider steps to bring about equality for women in all their diversity.

International Women’s Day was first celebrated in Australia in 1928. The United Nations declared 1975 as International Women’s Year and in 1977 it began sponsoring March 8 as International Women’s Day. There were several events held in the electorate of Solomon recently to mark the occasion, including the Women’s Network Northern Territory breakfast, the Multicultural Council of the Northern Territory dinner, the Northern Territory Working Women’s Centre film night and the United Nations Association of Australia Northern Territory women’s walk, whose theme this year was: women are our future.

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the launch of the LHMU 20 women photographic exhibition at the Supreme Court in Darwin. The exhibition is part of International Women’s Day celebrations. However this exhibition is even more significant as it is a pictorial tribute to 20 women with disabilities. I note that we have in the House tonight the Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services, and he is also the Parliamentary Secretary for Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction. The exhibition participants are all women of amazing courage, energy and with a commitment to achieving the most out of their lives. They cover many activities, from world champion swimmer Tahnee Afuhaamango, horse rider and jillaroo Quita Docking to library assistant Christina Fowler.

Other ladies who are featured in the exhibition are: Wendy Wright, Amy Clifton, Janelle Scobie, Leony Bowey, Catherine Jane Laurence, Helen Murray, Sahra Jok, Michele Castagna, Jean Young-Smith, Jessica Nelson, Ali Beckwith, Debb Lovett, Melanie Hall, Vicki Williams, Rachel Kroes and Marguerite Baptiste-Rooke. I particularly liked the philosophy on life of talented disabilities worker Elizabeth Reid. She said: ‘Life is based on the principles of equality, choice and participation, enabling individuals to be afforded social justice and be free of bias.’

In Darwin and Palmerston we have one of the youngest populations in the land. The most distinctive feature of our vibrant community is the diversity—a great mix of cultures, religions and Indigenous people. The Tribute to Northern Territory Women is an annual award that recognises, celebrates and commemorates the achievements of women who have made, or are making, a significant contribution for women in our community. This year’s winners were: Rosanna Breed, a woman who proactively uses her role as a policewoman to improve the relationships between the Aboriginal community and police and the first Aboriginal woman to reach the rank of sergeant in the Northern Territory police force; Catherine Warrington Rogers, better known as Kate, for her contribution to the cattle industry in the early 19th century and for being an early advocate of gender equality; Bilawarra Lee, for her involvement in and contribution to the Northern Territory community and improving the lives of Territorians; Yananymul Mununqqurr, for the significant challenges, difficulty of achievement and contribution as an inspirational role model and leader; and Shirley Brown, in recognition of her tireless community volunteer work across Central Australia.

I am proud to be part of a government that is united to end violence against women and girls. The very hardworking Minister for the Status of Women, Tanya Plibersek, is formulating an evidence based national plan to reduce violence against women to reiterate our resolve to end violence against women and girls. I will conclude with a quote from the Prime Minister, who spoke to a UNIFEM-White Ribbon Foundation dinner recently, saying:

From birth, it must be drilled into the conscious and the subconscious of all men that there are no circumstances—no circumstances—in which violence against women is acceptable.

…            …            …

That on violence against women, we have a simple, clear policy in two words: zero tolerance.

Question agreed to.