Introduction

This is a joint submission by the National Pay Equity Coalition (NPEC), the Women’s Electoral Lobby (WEL) and the National Foundation for Australian Women (NFAW).

NPEC was formed in 1988 to address the issue of unequal earnings for men and women in Australia, over the working week, over the years of workforce participation, and over a lifetime. Its activities include publicity, education, lobbying of governments, State and Federal, and regular representations to industrial tribunals and government inquiries on all issues relating to women’s earnings and workforce participation.

WEL is a feminist non-party political lobby group founded in 1972. WEL has long contributed to policy development and debate and continues to act as a research/advocacy group on issues that still disadvantage women in Australia today. WEL is dedicated to creating a society where women’s participation and potential are unrestricted, acknowledged and respected; where women and men share equally in work and in society’s responsibilities and rewards.

The National Foundation for Australian Women is a non-politically aligned feminist organisation working to promote the advancement of women in all spheres of activity. It is currently working actively in social and economic policy issues, promoting greater participation of women on company boards, and as well supporting a number of projects such as Women’s History Month and the Australian Women’s Archives Project which work to ensure that the contribution of women to Australian society is recognized and remembered. In 2007 NFAW co-sponsored research with the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission and the Women’s Electoral Lobby into the effect of industrial legislation on women in the workforce. It has since been active on the issues of paid maternity leave, pay equity and childcare.

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