NFAW has made a submission to the Commonwealth Treasury's inquiry into preventing perpetrators from accessing the superannuation death benefits of their victims.
This consultation takes place in the context of a broader audit of key Commonwealth systems to identify where they are being weaponised by perpetrators of family and domestic violence. NFAW's submission notes that several features of the superannuation system could magnify harm, while creating a discretion to redirect benefits away from perpetrators could potentially shift superannuation from a potential weapon to a potential disincentive for perpetrators.
NFAW has made a submission to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion on the role played by gender inequality as one of the underlying preconditions for extremism and the breakdown of social cohesion.
The gendered aspects of antisemitism and social cohesion take several different forms. Firstly, the individual experience of antisemitism can be significantly affected by the intersection between Jewish identity and gender, along with and other dimensions of discrimination, such as race, age, disability and sexuality. Secondly, antisemitic discourse often genders Jewish people in ways which reinforce patriarchal norms while contributing to the othering of Jewish people. Thirdly, research is increasingly identifying misogyny and anti-feminist politics as a key gateway to, and unifier of, extremist movements and a common thread running through almost all right-wing ideology, including antisemitic narratives. Finally, improving gender equality within a community has been demonstrated to play an important role in securing and defending social cohesion and strengthening community resilience.
NFAW expresses our deepest condolences to all those affected by the shocking terrorist attack at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025 and welcomes this Royal Commission as a positive step towards highlighting and addressing antisemitism in Australia. We also acknowledge that for many Australians, these tragic events have occurred in a broader context of international conflict and human rights abuses. We extend our heartfelt condolences and solidarity to all Australians affected by abuses of human rights in Israel and Gaza, particularly to those who have lost loved ones, whether Israeli or Palestinian. We reiterate that respect for the human rights of all people is of paramount importance.
This submission is being made by The National Foundation for Australian Women (NFAW).
NFAW is dedicated to promoting and protecting the interests of Australian women, including intellectual, cultural, political, social, economic, legal, industrial and domestic spheres, and ensuring that the aims and ideals of the women’s movement and its collective wisdom are handed on to new generations of women. NFAW is a feminist organisation, independent of party politics and working in partnership with other women’s organisations.
The taxation of capital gains affects women and men in different ways; it is not gender neutral. This submission responds to the terms of reference through a gender lens.
Why is the taxation of capital gains an issue for women?
The taxation of capital gains, as set out in the terms of reference of the Committee affects women in two domains: firstly whether men and women are affected equitably through the effect of the discount, and secondly through the effect on the housing market.
Submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade in response to its inquiry into gender equality as a national security and economic security imperative
NFAW welcomes this inquiry into gender equality as a national and economic security imperative and thanks the Committee for the opportunity to make this submission. We are available and would be pleased to address any questions and give further evidence to the Committee during hearings.
Recommendations
NFAW recommends:
1. The development of an Australian National Security Strategy which:
a. identifies gender equality as a critical element of the definition of ‘security’;
b. uses a human rights framework and maps risks and actions against the impact on human rights in Australia;
c. identifies the elimination of gender inequality as a priority action;
d. articulates the benefits of gender equality for all Australians vis a vis Australia’s national security;
e. adopts an intersectional approach to identifying and addressing gender inequality;
f. requires Commonwealth Departments and other federal entities to conduct gender impact analysis across all policies and areas of responsibility (particularly all domestic areas of policy and responsibility) which are identified in the strategy as critical to Australia’s national security and incorporate the results into its policies and practices. This activity should include but not be limited to recommendations 2 and 3 below; g. directs adequate resourcing to the Commonwealth Office for Women and / or other relevant bodies to support Departments and entities to build internal capacity to perform the above analysis.
The National Foundation for Australian Women (NFAW) is dedicated to promoting and protecting the interests of Australian women, including in intellectual, cultural, political, social, economic, legal, industrial and domestic spheres, and ensuring that the aims and ideals of the women’s movement and its collective wisdom are handed on to new generations of women. We are a feminist organisation, independent of party politics and working in partnership with other women’s organisations. In our advocacy work, we acknowledge the traditional custodians of Country throughout Australia and pay our respects to their elders past and present.
Background
The issue of children’s safety in early childhood education and care (ECEC) services has become a central issue for Australian governments and parents around Australia following the arrest of two educators charged with numerous cases of child sexual abuse in Queensland in August 2023 and Victoria in May 2025, and two charged with assault of a toddler in New South Wales in July 2025. An ongoing Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) investigation into child safety in the ECEC sector has been the main source of publicly available information on incidents of abuse and follow up.
We note that the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) published a Review of Child Safety Arrangements under the National Quality Framework (Child Safety Review) in December 2023. Following a consultation period which closed in June 2025, a Decision Regulation Impact Statement (DRIS) was published in mid-August 2025. Federal, state and territory governments have responded with a raft of measures and are working on joint initiatives to improve child safety. Our understanding is that options agreed by Education Ministers in August 2025 will proceed to legislation through the Victorian Parliament (as the host jurisdiction of the National Law) for adoption by other jurisdictions. Timeframes for legislative amendments to take effect will be determined by Education Ministers. Legislation was also introduced and passed by the Australian Parliament in July 2025 to address a number of key issues relating to child safety and quality in ECEC in Australia, regulation, compliance and training.
Improving productivity
The National Foundation for Australian Women (NFAW) is a leading advocate for gender equality in Australia, independent of party politics and dedicated to promoting and protecting women’s rights through policy advocacy, research, and education.
The evidence globally and in Australia is clear that advances towards gender equality contribute to nations’ resilience, deliver economic gains and accelerate productivity.i Despite progress on improving gender equality in Australia, women are still more likely to work part time, be underemployed, and experience lower pay and job security compared to men.
NFAW congratulates the Government on its work on Gender Responsive Budgeting and gender impact analysis in its Budget processes. The Working for Women Strategy is an important milestone for gender equality in Australia and a useful framework. There is more to be done to align all government processes to integrate gender equality considerations.
This submission seeks to inform the Economic Reform Roundtable of the productivity benefits from investing in gender equality.
Australia must recognise that supporting gender equality is an investment
Reducing gender wage gaps is not an inefficiency but an overall better utilisation of women’s skills, and so an economy-wide productivity gain.
Building economic resilience in the face of global uncertainty
Introduction
The National Foundation for Australian Women (NFAW) is a leading advocate for gender equality in Australia, independent of party politics and dedicated to promoting and protecting women’s rights through policy advocacy, research, and education.
The evidence globally and in Australia is clear that advances towards gender equality contribute to nations’ resilience, deliver economic gains and accelerate productivity.i Despite progress on improving gender equality in Australia, women are still more likely to work part time, be underemployed, and experience lower pay and job security compared to men.
NFAW congratulates the Government on its work on Gender Responsive Budgeting and gender impact analysis in its Budget processes. The Working for Women Strategy is an important milestone for gender equality in Australia and a useful framework. There is more to be done to align all government processes to integrate gender equality considerations.
This submission seeks to inform the Economic Reform Roundtable of the gender implications of building economic resilience and the benefits from investing in gender equality.
Workplace flexibility is improving but is at risk, and there is more to be done
Strengthening budget sustainability
Introduction
The National Foundation for Australian Women (NFAW) is a leading advocate for gender equality in Australia, independent of party politics and dedicated to promoting and protecting women’s rights through policy advocacy, research, and education.
The evidence globally and in Australia is clear that advances towards gender equality contribute to nations’ resilience, deliver economic gains and accelerate productivity.i Despite progress on improving gender equality in Australia, women are still more likely to work part time, be underemployed, and experience lower pay and job security compared to men.
NFAW congratulates the Government on its work on Gender Responsive Budgeting and gender impact analysis in its Budget processes. The Working for Women Strategy is an important milestone for gender equality in Australia and a useful framework. There is more to be done to align all government processes to integrate gender equality considerations.
This submission seeks to inform the Economic Reform Roundtable of the gender implications of Budget processes and the advantages of progressing gender equality, particularly focussing on the third theme of strengthening Budget sustainability.
Australia should increase and broaden the tax base, and make it more progressive
This submission is being made by the National Foundation for Australian Women (NFAW).
We welcome the Committee’s invitation to comment on the Australian Human Rights Commission Amendment (Costs Protection) Bill 2023 [Provisions]. NFAW previously made a submission to the Inquiry into the Anti-Discrimination and Human Rights Legislation Amendment (Respect at Work) Bill 2022 which adopted previous recommendations made by NFAW and other women’s organisations to better implement the recommendations of the Respect@Work report. We noted the issue of costs in bringing an action for discrimination is complex, the anticipation of costs can act as a deterrent to initiating proceedings, and lawyers are often reluctant to represent clients who are unable to pay their own legal costs.
We welcome the introduction of this new legislation that addresses both of the issues noted in NFAW’s previous submission and aims to remove the financial barriers that prevent victim-survivors of discrimination and sexual harassment from initiating proceedings. NFAW supports the numerous submissions to the Attorney-General’s Department’s review into an appropriate cost model for Commonwealth anti-discrimination laws which demonstrated a consistent view across the sector that a modified ‘equal access’ costs protection model will best achieve the policy objective of recommendation 25 of the Respect@Work report.
The modified ‘equal access’ costs protection provision will help overcome the deterrent effect that an adverse costs order poses to applicants, and addresses concerns about applicants not being able to cover their own costs (and having to entirely rely on pro bono assistance). We share concerns that a mirroring of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) provisions could reduce the number of lawyers that are willing to represent clients in these matters. This model reflects the public interest in holding people to account for discrimination and sexual harassment. This approach also addresses the power imbalances and resource disparities present in most unlawful discrimination proceedings.
We note the Bill goes beyond the scope of sex discrimination claims and applies to all discrimination matters under federal law. It is important to note that all forms of discrimination involve fundamental power imbalances and all applicants are likely to experience similar financial barriers to initiating proceedings. The intersectional nature of sex discrimination and sexual harassment means that victim-survivors will have often experienced multiple forms of discrimination. There is value in having a consistent approach to costs across all discrimination matters, including reduced complexity.
We also endorse the submission to this Inquiry of the Power to Prevent Coalition, a group of diverse community organisations, unions, academics, peak bodies, health professionals, lawyers, and victimsurvivors. The Power to Prevent Coalition strongly advocated for this reform with 85 organisations endorsing a call for equal access costs protections in discrimination and sexual harassment matters. NFAW works in partnership with many of these organisations.