Fair Agenda

Today, gender equality campaigning movement Fair Agenda launches a one-stop shop for voters on women’s safety this election, with 200+ candidates already committed to take some action. 

65 candidates, including high profile independent community candidates Nicollete Boele, Kylea Tink, Kim Rubenstein and sitting parliamentarians Andrew Wilkie and Peter Whish-Wilson have fully taken the Pledge for a Safer Future, and made explicit commitments to the transformative change needed to end gender-based violence.

Fair Agenda’s Executive Director Renee Carr, says:

“Going into this election, people want to know that the politicians they elect will take action to stop violence against women. A hundred thousand of us marched for justice during the last parliament; we’re taking those same concerns to the ballot box. 

“We deserve a parliament that will prioritise our safety. Advocates have been calling for transformative change for years. Solutions exist: the pledge shows which candidates are willing to commit to what’s needed.”

“Everyone who cares about women’s safety should ask, have my candidates taken the pledge? Are they willing to do what’s needed to create a safer future?”

The Pledge for a Safer Future contains six specific commitments, and is endorsed by Rosie Batty AO and a range of organisations including the National Association of Services Against Sexual Assault, Australian Women’s Health Network, Australian Women Against Violence Alliance, Women With Disabilitiies Australia and Change the Record.

Former Australian of the Year Rosie Batty AO says:

“It’s now more important than ever that our politicians act for our safety. Solutions exist, experts have laid them out - we need everyone standing for the next parliament to make meaningful, transformative action a priority.“

The Vote For Safety website includes information about parties’ track records in the last parliament; as well as their commitments to future action. The analysis notes the alarming record of the Coalition on systems reform - highlighting the Morrison Government’s abolition of the Family Court, decision to proceed with a parliamentary inquiry into family law opposed by safety advocates; and decision to shelve a taskforce to address sexual violence at universities. 

“We need leadership on women’s safety. That means: strengthening prevention efforts, properly funding services, reforming systems that harm survivors, championing safer workplaces, and doing what it takes to end gender-based violence.” Ms Carr said.

“We all want to be safe at school or university. We all want our workplace to look out for our safety. We all want a friend or loved-one who needs service support to be able to live safely, recover from trauma, and access specialist and timely support. The next parliament has the ability to unlock that future - but we must demand it of them.” Ms Carr said.

The website also collates a list of allegations of gendered misconduct against MPs in the last parliament, which Fair Agenda says highlight the need to prioritise implementation of the Sex Discrimination Commissioner’s Set the Standard recommendations.

“Australians deserve a proper process that ensures all allegations of gendered misconduct by parliamentarians are put through a consistent, independent process. We need a system that holds our parliamentarians to a standard befitting their office and the responsibility they have over our lives and communities - including the national epidemic of gender-based violence.” Ms Carr added.

The website will be live from 9am Thursday at: https://www.voteforsafety.com.au/