The Minister for Women's silence on this week's National Women's Safety Summit has let down Tasmanian women and speaks volumes about her commitment to women's issues.
Labor Leader Rebecca White said the Minister Jane Howlett has missed a prime opportunity to do better by the state's women and ensure they are safe as they go about their lives.
"This week's handling of a sexual harassment complaint by a worker in the Tasmanian State Service has shone a light on the issues women face every day," Ms White said.
"And this week's National Women's Safety Summit provided an opportunity to take action on those issues.
"But, instead of taking a lead role and committing to do better, Tasmania's Minister for Women Jane Howlett has gone missing in action again.
"While Ministers from Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and the ACT all signed a joint statement committing to addressing family, domestic and sexual violence, we have heard nothing on this issue from Ms Howlett.
"The statement from these Ministers calls for long-term solutions from the Federal Government, along with short-term measures including investment in housing for women escaping domestic violence, legislated domestic and family violence leave, more funding for legal services for victim-survivors, sustained funding for frontline services, and more investment in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-led responses.
"Violence against women and sexual harassment are not acceptable and all governments need to do all they can to end this scourge and allow women to live their lives safely.
"Governments need to strive to do all they can to deal with gendered violence, harassment and misconduct in the workplace and it is highly disappointing to see the inaction on this issue from the Gutwein Government.
"I am determined to keep fighting on behalf of all women to make sure they are safe in the workplace and in their everyday lives. It would be nice to have a Minister for Women who felt the same."
Rebecca White MP
Tasmanian Labor Leader
