Gender Equality

Progress in the arena of gender politics has been hard-won, yet significant barriers persist — the gender pay gap and disproportionate experience of family and domestic violence remain top priorities for SA-BEST.

SA-BEST advocates for transparency and accountability in addressing the gender pay gap. Mandated regular reporting of gender pay gaps by the public sector and enforced penalties for organisations violating pay equity principles are bare-minimum proposals that must be met to maintain the pursuit of gender equality. So too must we seek to accommodate diverse family responsibilities through flexible work arrangements.

SA-BEST has been instrumental in calling for necessary and overdue Royal Commission into Family and Domestic and Sexual Violence in South Australia. The link between financial stability and vulnerability to violence is well documented. Increased funding for support services, economic empowerment initiatives, and the expansion of education campaigns that challenge harmful gender stereotypes are among targeted interventions imperative to keeping South Australians feeling safe.

Gender diversity in leadership positions is of paramount importance — SA-BEST advocates for ambitious diversity targets for public and private sector organisations, supported by regular reporting and accountability mechanisms. Mentorship and leadership development initiative for woman, such as the Pathway to Politics program, offer opportunities to ensure our parliament reflects the South Australians it represents.

Closing the Gender Pay Gap
Combating Family and Domestic Violence
Promoting Gender Diversity in Leadership
Gender Equality Reporting in the Public and Private Sector
Superannuation-type Payment for Foster and Kinship Carers
Equal Opportunity
Insecure Work

It is crucial that accountability and transparency are enshrined into our gender equality legislation. Long before the state government pledged to introduce a bill centred on gender equality as a part of the 2024-25 state budget, SA-BEST had introduced the Gender Equality Bill into the chamber on two occasions. Mandating the regular reporting of gender targets and progress in the public sector, the bill was not supported by the government of day on either occasion.

Indeed, given that Labor supported the bill in opposition before backtracking once in power, time will tell whether their bill amounts to genuine reform in the arena of gender politics, or merely proposes incremental change ill-suited to meet the moment. SA-BEST remains committed to dismantling gendered barries and challenging inequalities and looks forward to reading the government’s promised legislation.

The invaluable contributions of our state’s foster and kinship carers must be acknowledged, and caregivers supported in their pursuit of working recognition. The tragic reality for these selfless members of the community is that, alongside financial strain associated with caregiving responsibilities, their future retirement is compromised by the lost opportunity cost of employment.

SA-BEST advocates for a superannuation-type payment scheme as a means of materially addressing the harsh reality that the future retirement of these selfless individuals is impacted by the lost opportunity cost of employment. Ultimately, carers — themselves predominately women — need access to levels of renumeration and benefits in line with those afforded to paid employees.

SA-BEST supported amendments made to the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 rendering it unlawful to discriminate against victims of domestic abuse and was proud to see the changes enshrined into state law.

Insecure work is prevalent in South Australia, particularly among women. SA-BEST is committed to addressing this issue through policies that promote job security, equal employment opportunities, and access to training and skills development.

Gender equality is more than just an unattainable goal. A more equitable, diverse and inclusive society is possible, but it is in our hands to drive the change that will get us there. The gains made as part of this process, despite staunch opposition those who would prefer to see traditional gendered power dynamics endure, will move us closer to a world where people from gender-diverse backgrounds are not just filling quotas, but having a seat at the decision-making table when it really counts.