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September 2023 Newsletter
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Dear Members and friends of NFAW from Jane Madden
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Depending on when you read this, only a few weeks or days to go before the historic referendum on the Uluru Statement. NFAW was a signatory to the Statement and also joined “Allies for Uluru”, a coalition of organisations and corporations (now 275+) in support of Voice, Treaty and Truth. The Board has recognised that First Nations people have had a continuous connection to the land for millennia, contributing culture, wisdom and care for the land that has not always been acknowledged, including in Australia’s 122-year-old Constitution. We all have an opportunity to change that this year.
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According to recent polling, a significant proportion of women remain undecided. A July 2023 Newspoll found that women are more likely than men to vote No to an Indigenous Voice to Parliament. That’s why I have been involved in a campaign known as “Women for the Voice”, based on the following:
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“Advance Australia Fair.
What do those 3 words really mean?
They're about moving Australia forward and giving every Australian a fair go
And it’s why your voice matters.
This is a moderate proposal initiated by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
This is their invitation to us, that is two things
Constitutional Recognition and the forming of an advisory committee, to give them a Voice to advise Government.
...to achieve better outcomes for our First Nations people.
A better way of life for our families and community
By voting in the referendum, you’ll be shaping the future of our country.
An Australia we want to leave for the next generation.
It’s not about the politics,
It’s not about negativity
or taking sides.
There are No downsides...for anyone
We have nothing to lose
And...just maybe...a lot to gain
It’s about the Australia we can be,
An Australia that is more inclusive and united.
Ask questions.
Find the truths amongst the voice.
Because it’s your chance to have your say.
Whichever way you vote, be proud of how you use it.”
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Follow @womenforthevoice on social media channels
Wherever you are, it’s important to make an informed decision on 14 October as there is a
significant amount of misinformation circulating. One of the best tool kits on the Voice referendum has been produced by the Australian Human Rights Commission and is available here:
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... message continues below
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National Foundation for Australian Women (NFAW)
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NFAW ANNUAL DINNER – 14 NOVEMBER 2023
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Waltzing Matilda: How is Australia faring on gender equality?
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No country or community has achieved gender equality, including Australia. Estimates are that it will take 300 years before men and women are treated equally in public and private life worldwide.
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At the United Nations, we are not only dealing with countries which have been slow to advance gender equality, we are now confronted by countries actively backtracking on women’s rights. The backlash is real.
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But, there are also powerful changes underway. Significant markers — such as the Women’s World Cup and the ‘Matilda Effect’* — show we can change hearts and minds when it comes to gender equality,
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This is not women’s problem: this is everybody’s business.
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Natasha Stott Despoja AO is an Australian politician, diplomat, gender equality advocate and author.
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Natasha is a former Senator, political party leader and Ambassador. She is a Professor in the Practice of Politics at ANU.
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In 2020, Natasha was elected by the General Assembly of the United Nations as a member of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
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Natasha was the founding Chair of Our Watch (2013-2021), and served as Australia’s Global
Ambassador for Women and Girls (2013-2016), working to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment around the world.
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Natasha is a Principal at Deloitte and currently serves as a non-executive Director of The
Australian Ballet, Global Citizen and Carrie’s Beanies for Brain Cancer. She is also a member
of the Broad Agenda 50:50 by 2030 Advisory Group and the George Washington Global
Women’s Leadership Council.
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Tuesday, 14 November 2023
The National Press Club of Australia
Ticket Price: $100 – $120
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Chief Executive Women Summit
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This week, a number of NFAW Board members participated in the Chief Executive Women Summit where the 2023 Gender Equality Census was released, highlighting that corporate Australia has ‘progressed at a glacial pace, increasing on average less than 2% a year. At the current rate, it could take up to 50 years to achieve gender parity in CEO roles in corporate Australia.’ The 2023 findings show that:
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- 91% of ASX300 CEOs are men
- 82% of CEO pipeline roles are held by men
- Only 23% of ASX300 companies have gender balanced leadership teams
- 28 ASX300 companies have no women in their Executive Leadership Teams
Deloitte’s recent report ‘Breaking The Norm’ found that more flexible ideas around gender norms could lead to an additional $128 billion each year for Australia’s economy and 461,000 additional full-time employees. CEW has accordingly developed the following requests to corporate Australia:
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- Set a 40:40:20 by 2030 gender target with real accountability and transparency. Companies with a 40:40 or better target were three times more likely to achieve gender balance than those without targets
- Invest in gender balanced CEO and Executive Leadership Team talent pipelines
- Build inclusive, flexible, and respectful workplaces. Seven years of data shows that women are undeniably underrepresented and incremental change is failing to solve the crisis.
NFAW is heartened by the Government’s appointment of Danielle Wood as the next Chair of the Productivity Commission, following almost a decade at the Grattan Institute. Danielle is a passionate advocate for women and has consistently urged policy positions in line with work by NFAW’s Social Policy Committee. Her inspiring keynote address to the Jobs Summit last year is reproduced here:
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Danielle is also a member of the Australian Government’s Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce. The Taskforce has recently submitted its report to Government and we await with interest the response led by Minister for Finance and Minister for Women, Katy Gallagher. NFAW has also been involved in consultations regarding the National Strategy to Achieve Gender Equality (the Strategy) which the Government intends to guide whole of community action to help make Australia one of the best countries in the world for equality between women and men. The Discussion Paper is provided here:
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This spring, through these and other efforts and inspired by the spirit of the Matildas, hopefully we can re-energise the pace of change towards gender equality and collectively have an opportunity to help solve the economic and social challenges facing Australians today.
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Social Policy Committee insights into
monitoring early childhood education and care developments
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NFAW’s Social Policy Committee has been active in monitoring changes to childcare payments and the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector. In addition to preparing an annual Gender Lens on the Budget for ECEC, we make submissions to national inquiries, Senate Committees reviewing legislation and also review key reports, available data and media.
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NFAW’s Gender Lens on the Budget 2022-23 welcomed the Australian Government’s commitment of $4.7 billion over four years from 2022-23 to make ECEC more affordable for families and reduce barriers to women’s workforce participation. You may be aware that significant changes to child care payments and eligibility were introduced from 10 July 2023. These include an increase from 8590 per cent Child Care Subsidy for low-income families earning up to $80,000 per annum, a smoother taper for reducing CCS payments for those earning over $80,000 up to $530,000 per annum (a higher threshold) and access to at least 36 hours per fortnight of subsidised ECEC for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, without families having to meet the activity test.
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In spite of these promising developments, we are concerned that the complexity of Australia’s ECEC system, persistent workforce shortages, lack of affordability and access to ECEC places are key barriers and disincentives for women’s workforce participation and human capital development.
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The NFAW supports the current Productivity Commission investigation of moving to a universal 90 per cent subsidy for all families. Our submission in April 2023 to their inquiry into ECEC acknowledged the need for a progressive system of support for families accessing ECEC subsidies in the short and medium term (with more support provided to those who need it most), while strongly supporting the goal of universal, free ECEC for all children in the longer term. This commitment should be part of a 10-15 year productivity agenda for long-term social and economic well-being across Australia, including measures to support early child development and family well-being under the Government’s proposed Early Childhood Strategy (see NFAW submission).
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We welcome any views and input from NFAW members on ECEC – please email SPC’s Chair,
Professor Helen Hodgson on h.hodgson@tpg.com.au
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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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