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Monday 29th May at 8pm.
Catch Marie Coleman and Jane Madden in conversation on the ABC Radio Big Ideas and video as well on the Big Ideas webpage, both audio and video will be available on Monday 29th May.
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Introduction to the 2023 Gender Lens Review
by Jane Madden, President of NFAW
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“Over decades, NFAW has been dedicated to promoting and protecting the interests of Australian women, including across intellectual, cultural, political, social, economic, legal, industrial and domestic spheres.
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Each year, the Federal Budget is a time to critically assess the extent of government commitment to gender equality. Since 2014, when the Coalition Government ceased the practice of releasing a Women’s Budget Statement, NFAW has done that job.
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Labor had committed to implement an annual Women’s Budget Statement to assess the impact of all significant new budget measures on women and to examine how the allocation of public resources affects gender equality. In the 2023-24 Budget, we see that commitment in action, and we are encouraged by the work commencing, especially appreciative of the work of the Women’s Equality Taskforce.
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Through these position papers, developed by NFAW’s Social Policy Committee examining the detail of Budget measures of importance to women in Australia, we can see that progress is underway, but scope remains for improved measures for gender equality".
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National Foundation for Australian Women (NFAW)
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OVERVIEW OF THE GENDER LENS ON THE BUDGET MAY 2023
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The second Albanese Budget builds on the initiatives introduced in the “bread and butter” budget from October 2022. Women’s economic equality was a priority last year, with changes proposed to childcare and paid parental leave (PPL) to enable economic activity.
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These measures come into force in July 2023, although some of the design issues around the proposed extension of PPL are yet to be finalised. This year the concerns of women are recognised across portfolios and the Women’s Budget Paper presented a range of evidence to support the need for action.
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NFAW welcomes the welfare reforms that include support for single parents, the unemployed, energy fee relief, wage increases for aged care workers (the majority of whom are women), investment in Medicare for those on low-incomes, increased rent assistance, increased investment in housing and help to transition to clean energy. However we note that these changes amount to less than 2 per cent of the welfare budget and have only a small impact on living standards and poverty.
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But the opportunity to reform the Stage 3 Income Tax cuts and apply a gendered lens has not been taken. Our analysis of revenue shows that a disproportionate amount of the projected growth in tax receipts comes from women, who will receive a much lower share of the proposed tax cuts. NFAW believes that the Government should undertake gender analysis of the Stage 3 Tax cuts as a critical priority, in view of the scale of the reform to ensure a more equitable distribution of income in the Australian community. A gender analysis of the Stage 3 Tax cuts shows that :
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NFAW is positive about the Government’s women’s agenda but more needs to be done. The only way to ensure funding for the growing cost of essential services and to address poverty is to increase revenue. The Government needs to lead the public debate on tax reform, including reviewing the Stage 3 Tax cuts.
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In addition to the authors named on individual papers, NFAW would like to thank the following advisers for their contribution to the 2023-24 Gender lens on the Budget.
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NFAW Submission to the Inquiry into
the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice Referendum
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NFAW acknowledges that this edition of newsletter edition to you during National NAIDOC Week 2023. With this year’s theme “For Our Elders”, NFAW salutes Indigenous Elders who have played, and continue to play, an important role and hold a prominent place in communities and families across Australia.
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Through work NFAW has undertaken, including the Gender Lens on the Budget, we have advocated for and with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their families.
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NFAW was, and continues to be, a signatory to the Uluru Statement from the Heart as we recognise it as a call by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for real and practical change in Australia through the establishment of constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament. The Uluru Statement from the Heart is an invitation to all Australians to walk alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in a movement for a better future.
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The Foundation is pleased to provide a submission to the Inquiry into the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice Referendum.
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The National Foundation for Australian Women makes the following recommendations:
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1.The Bill - as presented to Parliament and supported by the First Nations Referendum Working Group-be passed.
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2.The Parliament should proceed as planned with the design principles of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament, as agreed by the First Nations Referendum Working Group.
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VALE JULIA RYAN: OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY
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It is with great sadness that we share the news that Julia Ryan passed away recently (3 May) from cancer. We know some of you are aware, but for others this news may come as a shock. As a long- standing and active member of both the Management and Social Policy Committees, she has been a friend to many of us and we salute her contribution over her life to the work of NFAW.
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A passionate feminist, Julia was active in NFAW from the early days, including as Secretary of the National Foundation for Australian Women 1991-1996. Details of her upcoming celebration of life are detailed below:
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How to leave a gift for NFAW in your Will.
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We are often asked about the process of making a provision for the NFAW in a will. So we have added some new details on our website which we hope will be useful, a summary of which is included below plus the link to the website for further details.
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Types of Gifts in Wills
If you are thinking of leaving a gift to National Foundation for Australian Women Limited in your Will, there are many ways you can leave a gift that could be the right fit for you.
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A few examples that may suit your preferences and individual circumstances include:
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• A percentage of the value of your estate, or
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• A residual gift (the balance of your estate after all other provisions have been met)
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How To Leave a Gift in Your Will
A Will must be carefully planned, drawn up, and executed to ensure your wishes will be effectively carried out.
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National Foundation for Australian Women recommends you seek professional advice when preparing your Will. You can contact a solicitor, the Public Trustee, or the Law Society in your State or Territory for advice about preparing a Will. Thank you for considering supporting the NFAW with a bequest.
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