Anthony Albanese says ‘more to do’ for women on International Women’s Day

Anthony Albanese marked International Women’s Day by hosting a low-key morning tea for community organisations that help women while leaving the set-piece speech to his most senior female colleague.

The Prime Minister hosted representatives from 18 Canberra organisations that support women, including services for domestic violence, homelessness, refugees, sexual violence and older and Indigenous women.

On the eve of International Women’s Day, the Government released its inaugural gender equality strategy to highlight the work it has already done and areas where it wants to focus on making more progress.

Mr Albanese acknowledged there was more work to do.

“Some of the response to the superannuation on paid parental leave announcement indicates that,” he said after the event at the Lodge.

“This isn’t welfare, it’s about economic and gender equality. It’s about making sure that our whole society benefits when there is more equality there and that’s what yesterday’s announcement was about.

“There’s more to do, but we will work each and every day to make a difference.”

Earlier, Foreign Minister Penny Wong told the more than 3000 people attending the International Women’s Day breakfast in Adelaide she was determined that Australia would make a contribution to the world which advanced the rights and aspirations of women and girls everywhere.

“The biggest reason this breakfast keeps growing is because we share a great hunger to acknowledge women’s struggle, to celebrate women’s success, and to honour those women who have shown us the way,” she said.

Senator Wong paid tribute to the work of Labor colleagues Peta Murphy and Linda White, who died in recent months, as well as Indigenous leader Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue whose funeral was held in Adelaide on Friday.

Deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley used the focus on gender equality to highlight the Government’s failure to meet a promise it would fund 500 frontline domestic violence workers.

While senators heard last month there were just two workers in place, Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said on Friday there were now 17.

Ms Ley said she “cannot express the depth of my disappointment” at the situation.

“Women’s safety is a critical precondition for gender equality and the women of Australia deserve accountability from the Government on this,” she said.