Zaneta Mascarenhas
Federation Chamber, Parliament House, Canberra
Statements by Members
'Australian women need more than an icon for a brighter future'—this was the title of an article that I wrote for the weekend West Australian.
It talked about how women heroes and icons inspire us but that what we need is social and economic change that empowers all women. The Matildas have captured the heart of the nation, drawing near-sellout crowds and watched by millions of Australians—and many more will tune in to tonight's match, including the people from my electorate of Swan. The Matildas have sold more jerseys for Nike than the Socceroos. Their national recognition must be applauded.
The shift in women's sports symbolises a brighter future for all women in Australia. Women, indeed, are making inroads in all areas. Women are 43 per cent of this parliament and the ministry. Last week, I celebrated my anniversary as the first female member for Swan in its 101-year history. On Saturday, Labor's Magenta Marshall was elected as the first woman to represent the state seat of Rockingham. She will be a fierce advocate for her home town, and she should be applauded.
But we should not stop at applause. What women need is structural and policy change, and Labor is driving this change by making child care cheaper, raising the minimum wage, improving workplace culture and making workplaces safer. This is making a difference, and, in one year, Australia has jumped 17 places in the World Economic Forum's gender equality ranking.
