08/05/2012
Where does budget leave sole parents and their children?
Media Release:
The announced change in the Parenting Payment which moves a further 100,000 single parents and their children onto the lower paying Newstart Allowance is roundly opposed.
Women’s Electoral Lobby joins advocates for sole parents and their children in condemning this government budget measure.
Women’s Electoral Lobby (WEL) endorses the negative response of ACOSS, National Welfare Rights Network, and National Council for Single Mothers and their Children to this policy change.
Newstart Allowance pays just $35 a day ($37 for sole parents). It has not been increased since 1994.
“The change will add to the disadvantages suffered by sole parents trying to raise their children” said Helen L’Orange, National Chair of WEL.
Read more… »
16/04/2012
WEL submission to EOWA Bill inquiry
WEL has welcomed the introduction of the Commonwealth Government’s Bill to amend its workplace equal opportunity legislation but believe the bill could be easily amended to better benefit women in the future.
WEL has put in a submission to the Senate inquiry into the new legislation outlining these amendments and WEL member Kathy MacDermott will be giving evidence at the Senate hearings on April 18 to ensure women’s voices are heard.
You can read the full submission to the inquiry here.
08/03/2012
WEL congratulates Defence Minister Smith in fostering cultural change in the ADF
Women’s Electoral Lobby (WEL) congratulates Minister for Defence Stephen Smith for commissioning the enquiry into the Australian Defence Force’s sexist culture after the Skype incident at the Academy, Duntroon.
WEL National Executive member Kathy MacDermott said WEL was aware of the difficulties in working for cultural and organisational change.
“It is fantastic to see the Minister’s determination and that of the ADF leadership to see that change happen and pursue the recommendations and reforms outlined in the reports. “
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Happy International Women’s Day 2012 and Happy WEL 40th Anniversary!
Helen L’Orange AM Chair, WEL National Coordinating Committee
I write to wish everyone a Happy International Women’s Day as we celebrate WEL’s 40th Anniversary.
WEL members will be attending the International Women’s Day community picnic at First Fleet Park on 10 March from Midday. Make sure you come along, meet with fellow WEL members and talk the future of feminism in good company.
WEL continues its advocacy for women’s equality and the protection of women’s rights.
WEL has lobbied successfully for many reforms over the past 40 years.
In 1972, when WEL began, women won equal pay, but only when they were performing identical work under the same award as men. This was only about 18 per cent of women. The February 2012 Fair Work Australia decision means that at last women have a law that should apply wherever work is undervalued simply because it is done by women.
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01/03/2012
WEL welcomes equal opportunity for women in the workplace
The Women’s Electoral Lobby (WEL) today welcomed as a good start the introduction by Julie Collins, Minister for the Status of Women, of the Commonwealth Government’s Bill to amend its workplace equal opportunity legislation.
WEL’s National Executive member Kathy MacDermott said the Bill is not perfect but that it does open opportunity for some real generational change.
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