Maitland BPW Political Forum

23 October 2007

Introductory speech by Kellie Tranter

Maitland Business and Professional Women would like to officially welcome everyone here tonight.

Unfortunately there is no constitutionally enshrined obligation for any elected representatives to act or to serve or to represent the best interests of all people in all parts of the community.  Ensuring public awareness of our candidates' obligations rests with individuals and community groups and it is for that reason Maitland BPW has organised this forum and thank you for your attendance.

It has now been over 100 years since women first voted in the second Federal election in 1903.  I repeat over 100 years.  And although legislation like the Equal Employment Opportunity (Commonwealth Authorities) Act has been in place for some 20 years and the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Act has been in place for 8 years, and even though we have bureaucratic bodies like the Commonwealth and NSW Office for Women, the Federal Government's Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA) and the Commonwealth Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, it's very hard to understand why we are not achieving greater equality between the sexes in this country or encouraging and supporting our female talent.  One wonders what message this failing sends to our young men and women?

If our existing legislation, resources, practices and policies are not making better progress then surely our Government needs to have a better look at the ongoing problems Australian women face in achieving things like financial independence, self-sufficiency and equal influence over public decision-making.

Tonight each candidate has been asked to outline their position on:

• setting benchmarks to increase women's influence over public decision making;
• promoting public policies to ensure equal benefit for women;
• financial commitment to women's non-government organisation sector;
• national commitment to legislative and policy innovations designed to enhance women's human rights, civil liberties and work-life balance;
• government funded paid maternity leave; and
• the gender pay-gap.

My initial point in most discussions of the importance of true equality is usually the same.

First, close one eye and look across the room.  Note what you see in front of you.  Test your peripheral vision and perspective.  It feels unnatural.  Sadly, this demonstrates the perspective from which most decisions are made in this country today.

Now open both eyes and look at the same scene.  Note the new depth in front of you, the rounded reality of two peripheries and the feeling of wholeness that comes from perceiving in balance.  This demonstrates the perspective from which decisions will be made when women and men sit equally at the elusive roundtable.

Thank you.