WOMEN, DISCRIMINATION

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:27): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for the Status of Women a question regarding the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA: The Rudd Labor government is clearly committed to the rights of women. For example, it has established a national council to develop strategies to eliminate violence against women, and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is a White Ribbon Day ambassador. The Rudd Labor government has also expressed its commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. Will the minister provide an update on the status of the optional protocol to that United Nations Convention?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy) (15:28): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. I am very pleased to have this opportunity—albeit, a very small window of opportunity—to provide a brief answer. I am very excited to say that on Monday this week, on the eve of International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Australia formally moved to become a party to the optional protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! We have a long day in front of us.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: There is a little squeaking mouse in the room, Mr President, sitting across from here. CEDAW has often been described as an international bill of rights for women. Although Australia has been a party to CEDAW since 1983, the Howard government refused to sign the optional protocol when it was adopted in 2000, despite countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and a number of our Asia-Pacific neighbours doing so.

Under the optional protocol, women in Australia would be able to make a complaint to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women about alleged violations of Australia's obligations under CEDAW. This can occur only after other legal options have been exhausted. The protocol also permits the UN investigation process. By becoming a party to the optional protocol, the Rudd Labor government has demonstrated its commitment to the promotion and protection of the rights of Australian women both at home and abroad. This important document reaffirms their human rights, dignity and worth. Australia's instrument of accession to the optional protocol will be launched shortly in New York and will come into force for Australia before International Women's Day on 8 March 2009.

Australia is taking other important steps to eliminate discrimination against women, in particular, inquiries into pay equity and the commonwealth Sex Discrimination Act highlight the importance of gender equity on the current agenda. I am pleased to announce that Australia is formally becoming a party to the optional protocol and I look forward to further achievements in eliminating discrimination against women.