Our 2011 election manifesto - Labour Party

Caring for children and family members at home along with voluntary work throughout the
community is vital work that benefits us all.
Many women working in paid caring roles such as aged care are undervalued for the
important work they do. Labour has a strong commitment to addressing this systemic and
enduring inequality as outlined in the Employment Equity section.
Increasingly women as carers are finding it difficult to balance paid work and caring
responsibilities. As the need for greater paid workforce participation of women and older
workers continues this pressure will increase.
Labour will consider and as appropriate use the findings of the Review of the
Employment Relations (Flexible Working Arrangements) Act to promote and
strengthen flexible working arrangements.
Labour will announce significant policy during the election campaign that emphasises
the important role of grandparents as carers for children.
Women‟s participation and representation
Women‟s leadership has declined over the last two years as shown in the Census of
Women‟s Participation 2010. The consequences of a lack of opportunity for women to
undertake non-traditional roles and/or to advance to senior levels has implications for
women in terms of authority, personal satisfaction and income. Limited participation by
women also has consequences for organisations by denying access to a large pool of talent.
Labour will reinstate 50% goal for women on state sector boards.
Labour will investigate legislative options for requiring organisations and companies
to report on women‟s participation at all levels in their organisation. Specifically we
will investigate provisions to require EEO monitoring and the development of action
plans to respond to identified problems.
Labour will require the State Services Commission to ensure compliance with EEO
as part of „good employer‟ commitments and to advise the Government on strategies
to advance employment equity.
Improved access to education and life-long learning
With time out of the paid workforce for family and caring reasons access to life-long learning
is particularly important for women. Funding cuts to ACE and access to the Training
Incentive Allowance along with tertiary education access changes make it harder for women
to access post-compulsory education. This will in turn undermine closing the gender pay gap
and increasing women‟s representation.
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