WOB Meets the Minister for Women

14/09/2020
Minister for Women, Senator Marise Payne, met with WOB Executive Director Claire Braund, on the Central Coast on Friday, to talk about issues impacting women's economic security and wellbeing. 
 
Minister for Women, Senator Marise Payne, met with WOB Executive Director Claire Braund, on the Central Coast on Friday, to talk about issues impacting women's economic security and wellbeing. These included the gendered impact of COVID and the remit of the recently established working group to address barriers to leadership and board & committee roles for culturally diverse women. Other issues canvassed included WOB's partnership with the National Foundation for Australian Women and their joint advocacy for women in the areas of childcare affordability, superannuation and retirement savings, the gender pay gap and affordable housing. 

Their meeting followed an informal lunch with 15 local women of influence, where Senator Payne - who is also Australia's Foreign Minister - heard how women working in community, business and government are coping with the fallout of Covid 19. She heard stories about the gendered impact of Covid - from homelessness and domestic violence to mental health issues and loss of businesses.  The Minister clearly appreciated the stories shared from the heart,  saying it was one of her nicest days in a very difficult year.

In her short vote of thanks, Senator Payne spoke about her own Covid journey with her partners' parents and of the isolation of spending up to 18 hours a day on Zoom - often in global meetings. She was strong in her understanding of, and commitment to, addressing domestic violence, homelessness and the economic impact on women forced out work due to Covid. She also noted the critical role that community plays in addressing all of these issues and the importance of connection and women's networks.
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Lucy Wicks MP, Member for Robertson (Central Coast)
Senator Marise Payne, Foreign Minister and Minister for Women
Claire Braund
 
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