Australian Minister to Advocate for Gender Equality at UN Conference in New York
The trip follows the recent announcement by the Labor government implementing new measures to connect government procurement with gender targets.
Australian Minister for Women Katy Gallagher is currently in New York, leading her country’s delegation to the 68th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).
In an effort to advocate for Australia’s commitment to “gender equality,” Ms. Gallagher is attending the event in the United States.
In a post on X from New York, Ms. Gallagher expressed, “Australia is well represented in New York for the 68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women.
It was my great pleasure to welcome the broader delegation to town before a big few days of meetings got underway.”
The New York conference is the U.N.’s “largest annual gathering on gender equality and women’s empowerment.”
The theme aims to accelerate “the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective.”
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Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations James Larsen welcomed Australia’s delegation, led by Ms. Gallagher and other representatives.
“At CSW68, Australia will advocate for measures to address gender inequality, including through gender-responsive budgeting,” Mr. Larsen said.
The official Australian delegation also comprises members of the U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women Natasha Stott Despoja and Mary Wooldridge, CEO of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency.
Ms. Gallagher stressed the importance of Australia’s participation in international forums to drive lasting change for women and girls globally.
“Gender equality is fundamental to the Albanese government’s vision for a better future, and this week I released Australia’s first national strategy to achieve gender equality,” Ms. Gallagher emphasized.
Furthermore, the Labor government recently introduced new measures linking procurement to gender targets for potential suppliers, requiring companies to demonstrate progress in gender equity to secure government contracts.
Ambassador for Gender Equality Stephanie Copus-Campbell, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet Executive Director Padma Raman, and Sex Discrimination Commissioner Anna Cody are among the other delegates.
Coalition Raises Women’s Safety Concerns
In the meantime, Shadow Minister for Women Sussan Ley has voiced concerns regarding women’s safety.
Ms. Ley highlighted the lack of sufficient domestic violence support on the ground, with only two out of the promised 500 community workers being hired in the October 2022 budget.
“We have to face the fact that domestic violence is a crisis across Australia, with over a dozen women already killed this year, mostly due to domestic violence,” Ms. Ley expressed.
“I cannot express enough my disappointment that only two of the promised 500 domestic violence workers are in place, more than 650 days since Labor took office.”
“Women’s safety is a crucial prerequisite for gender equality, and the women of Australia deserve accountability from the government.
Gallagher Downplays Allegations of Favoritism Within Labor Ranks
Senator Gallagher’s visit to New York coincides with allegations in the Sydney Morning Herald claiming that the Albanese government is influenced by a “powerful inner circle,” where Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Ms. Gallagher act as the “co-deputy prime ministers.”
“Katy and Penny essentially function as deputy prime ministers, they are the ‘PM whisperers.’ Katy is a well-respected problem solver,” an unnamed Labor minister stated to the publication.
“Katy holds significant power, and [Treasurer Jim Chalmers] has strategically aligned himself with her.”
Treasurer Chalmers rejected any comparison to the “gang of four” scenario during the Rudd government, affirming on ABC Radio “of course not.”
“This is collective decision-making; ministers are involved, decisions are endorsed by the full Cabinet. Everyone has the opportunity to present their ideas, and we strive to understand their perspectives and do our best for ministers within significant budget constraints,” Mr. Chalmers explained.
Mr. Chalmers stated that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese runs a “very inclusive, consultative operation, managing a responsible budget that necessitates careful spending decisions.”
“It involves narrowing down hundreds of good ideas to a select few priorities that can be funded. Given the limited financial resources, not every good idea can be implemented, and that’s not always popular,” he added.
