WOMEN KEY TO PRACTICAL POLICY - COALITION

19-June-2009

Tapping into the wealth of knowledge, experience and common sense the women of Australia possess is the key to ensuring practical policies that benefit the nation, Shadow Minister for Women Sophie Mirabella said today.

 On the eve of a “Women in Politics” Conference in Melbourne, the Coalition has officially launched a new “Engaging Women” Initiative - a community consultation process aimed at giving women more say in policy development and a greater role in the political process.

 “Engaging Women is an open invitation to the women of Australia to actively have their say.  The Coalition is listening,” Mrs Mirabella said.

 “We know that time is precious for today’s busy woman – whether they work in the home, community or workplace.  We want women to know that, through the Engaging Women initiative, their voice will be heard and their ideas conveyed to the highest levels of political leadership – both State and Federal.”

 “As part of the Engaging Women Initiative, Coalition Parliamentarians at State and Federal level will be invited to host a series of events, with the aim of engaging women from all walks of life in political discussion.”

 “Women are, by either nature of necessity, practical thinkers who are used to problem solving and multitasking – this is actually a highly prized commodity in the halls of power!  The Coalition recognises that, while not every woman will want to enter Parliament, every woman ought to have the opportunity to be part of the political process and to contribute to policy development.”

 Mrs Mirabella said that a group of “Engaging Women Ambassadors”, made up of State and Federal Parliamentarians and organisation representatives from every State and Territory, would attend the forums and convene regularly to feed ideas back to the leadership group.

 “There will be events taking place across the nation in the coming months and women are also invited to send us their ideas via our website – www.liberal.org.au/women  We especially want to get feedback on how we can develop policies that help facilitate women’s choices in balancing their work and family lives,” Mrs Mirabella said.

 “Getting the work/family balance right is a crucial issue for both men and women and it also has an enormous impact on the well being of children.  The Coalition’s focus is on policies that support the choices that families make.  No two families are the same and we have to allow women to make arrangements that best suit their family – especially when it comes to raising children.”

 Mrs Mirabella said the Engaging Women Initiative would be a “grass roots” movement and that over the coming months it would act as a conduit for a growing network of women across the nation, enabling them to stay in touch and involved in the political process.