International Bulletin - April 2000
PPSEAWA Australia
Women in Politics: (information from the Commonwealth Office of the Status of Women)
Following the 1998 Federal Election, there are 55 women in the Commonwealth Parliament. 22 in the Senate (Upper House) and 33 in the House of Representatives (Lower House). This brings women's participation in the Commonwealth Parliament to 24.5% rising from 21.4% and 14% in the 1995 election. This rate is almost double the international average of 13%.
The current coalition Government has 26 women representatives in the Federal Parliament. In addition there are now four women ministers - the equal highest number of any previous Federal Government in this country.
Within the Parliaments of the 6 States and 2 Territories which make up the Commonwealth of Australia 21.6% of members are women, with the state of South Australia having the highest membership of 27.5%.
Ages of women range from young women in their twenties to women of senior years.
The representation of women in local government is in line with the above figures with 25% (1996) of elected councillors being women.
Women in Leadership and Decision Making:
Women in leadership continues to be a priority issue for the Commonwealth Office of the Status of Women (OSW). Consistent with the Government's policy on this issue, OSW has been focusing its major efforts on encouraging an increase in the number of women in decision-making positions and is implementing a range of initiatives which aim to make an impact across the board.
As more than 50% of Australia's population, women have a right and a responsibility to participate in the decision-making processes which shape the nation. The Government is committed to encouraging greater diversity among those who occupy decision-making positions. It recognises that ensuring advisory boards better reflect the make-up of our society will allow them greater capacity to be truly responsive to the needs and concerns of the community they represent resulting in better policy decisions for all Australians.
PPSEAWA Australia is hoping to have a group of around 30 women travelling to the Cook Islands for the November conference. This group will be made up of official delegates, other PPSEAWA members and friends who are interested in becoming members of PPSEAWA and who will attend the conference as observers.
PPSEAWA Australia has membership meeting in five groups around Australia. Each group has its own identity and programs are different.
A highlight for all PPSEAWA members was the presentation of the PPSEAWA Award through the National Council of Women (NSW) of $1000.00 to Nadia-Swetlana Davies, a final year student in the Division of Occupational Therapy, University of Western Sydney-Macarthur. It had been agreed at our national committee meeting in May 1999 that an Australia Day 2000 Award of $1000.00 be granted to a female university student who had achieved good grades throughout her course, despite disadvantages of illness, disability or need and that the student be selected by her university.
Nadia-Swetlana has a consistent track record and a strong desire to serve the community. During her second year at UWS Nadia's father became extremely ill and later died leaving her mother, who was also ill, and several younger children alone in the Northern Territory. Nadia returned home to Katherine to care for her family. When the family was forced to relocate to Darwin following severe flooding Nadia continued her studies by long distance education and by completing therapy placements in remote areas. Following the completion of her course Nadia aims to serve the community bringing with her an understanding of the needs and demands of families living in remote areas.
Activities of PPSEAWA Groups:
PPSEAWA ACT Group have had many exciting and interesting meetings which have included an afternoon at the Royal Thai Embassy hosted by the Ambassador Mrs. Laxanachantom Laohophan with demonstrations of Thai food preparation and fruit and vegetable carving, displays of arts and crafts as well as a program of Thai dancing and singing accompanied by the traditional instruments.
Another interesting function was their Christmas celebration at the residence of their patron the Ambassador of the Philippines Mrs Delia Domingo-Albert. The program included Filipino music, dancing and a sharing of Christmas traditions.
Members were also fortunate to receive a presentation by Leilani Bin-Juda on preparations for the opening of the national Museum of Australia in 2001. Leilani is responsible for putting together the Torres Strait Islander collection for the opening.
PPSEAWA Canberra City Group had a wonderful musical journey across the Indonesian archipelago exploring traditional music; Hearing and viewing the visual arts of the Cook Islands with the focus especially on textiles and quilts. Learning about early colonial portraiture from a member, Eve Buscombe; visiting Parliament House with dinner, role playing as members of parliament and finally visiting the Senate and the House of Representatives to see and hear the experts!
The members of this group sew shorts for children and collect educational material which helps to support an orphanage in Asia.
PPSEAWA NSW Group. Members have been joining a living in harmony Project coordinated by the National council of Jewish women of Australia NSW Division. The round table discussions bring together women from many cultural groups and the discussion topic Women Bridging Diversity is particularly relevant as we commence 2000. These breakfast meetings have been hosted by different ethnic and religious groups.
Members have joined a Share our Language program and three are now assisting three individual women to learn English and understand some of the cultural differences between our country and their country of origin. This is done by a weekly visit to their home and phone chats.
Three rugs were completed and delivered to the East Hills Safe haven for both Kosovar and East Timorese Refugees. This is an ongoing project with the rugs being delivered by the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
PPSEAWA Momington Peninsula group (VIC). Members have been involved in reconciliation between black and white Australians and have enjoyed learning more about the Aboriginal culture in their local area. A PPSEAWA member, Bea Edwards, runs the Kaala Koori Association on the Momington peninsula and is an outreach worker at the Peninsula Drug and Alcohol Program.
PPSEAWA WA group. Members have been celebrating the Centenary of Women's Suffrage in Western Australia. During those 100 years, many PPSEAWA members were active in promoting the advancement of women.
At the first conference in Honolulu in 1928 the Australian delegation was led by a West Australian woman, Bessie Rischbieth. Bessie was a member of PPSEAWA until she died in 1967. She lobbied the Government strongly for a women's hospital, improved prison conditions and women's health.
When PPSEAWA WA was established in 1953, Agnes Robertson became President and in the next year became President of PPSEAWA Australia. After retiring from teaching, she was elected as a Senator for WA in the Federal Parliament. Agnes, and her daughter Jessie, greatly influenced the development of PPSEAWA in WA and Australia. She was concerned with the care of aboriginal and migrant children and she campaigned for women to be accepted as lay preachers in the church.
Members from around Australia are looking forward to meeting in Perth in May as we celebrate the International Year for the Culture of Peace, our national committee meeting, seminar and Annual General Meeting.
Last Modified: November 29, 2002