Meeting of federal, state and territory ministers responsible for women and women’s safety.

The Albanese Labor Government will continue its commitment to women’s safety and gender equality by hosting its first face-to-face meeting of federal, state and territory ministers to engage on key policy priorities for women.
 
The meeting, hosted by the Minister for Women Katy Gallagher and Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth, will occur next week in Adelaide on the 22 July.
 
The meeting will cover a range of important matters for Australian women, but focus particularly on gender equality, women’s economic security and women’s safety.
 
The National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032 will be discussed, along with a Commitment to a standalone National Plan for First Nations women. 
 
Minister Gallagher said that it is imperative that the Commonwealth, state and territory governments work collaboratively to progress the Government’s national agenda of accelerating gender equality and achieving an end to violence against women and children.
 
“The Government is taking action to achieve gender equality, including through development of a National Strategy to Achieve Gender Equality. Our vision is for Australia to be a world leader in gender equality, and I look forward to working with states and territories on this ambition,” Minister Gallagher said. 
 
“The Albanese Labor Government recognises that women’s experiences must be at the centre of decision-making and this meeting will be an important first step.”
 
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said the meeting is pivotal for reaching agreement with states and territories on the next National Plan. Establishing priorities for the new Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission will also be key.
 
“Women’s safety is a high-order priority for me and the Government has committed to providing the focus and national leadership required to deliver change,” Minister Rishworth said. 
 
“Already I have met with both advisory groups on the next National Plan and we are working in genuine partnership with First Nations communities in order to develop a dedicated plan for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children. Next week’s meeting will only build on this important work.
 
“One woman dies in Australia every nine days at the hands of their current or former partner. The National Plan will set out a strategy for the next decade with the aim of reducing that number.”
 
Ministers responsible for women and women’s safety will meet regularly to maintain momentum and a national focus on these critical policy priorities for women.
 
The Albanese Labor Government is committed to making real progress on gender equality and reducing violence against women and children by working constructively with the states and territories to drive the changes we need to see across all parts of Australia.