Women's Suffrage Anniversary

The Hon. J.S. LEE (14:35): My question is to the Minister for Human Services regarding the 125^th anniversary of women's suffrage in South Australia. Can the minister please provide an update to the council about the outcomes of the recommendations of the interim report of the Joint Committee on the 125^th Anniversary of Women's Suffrage?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (14:36): I thank the honourable member for her question. It gives me great pleasure to provide an update to the Legislative Council in relation to the outcomes of the Joint Committee on the 125^th Anniversary of Women's Suffrage. Once again, I would like to place on the record thanks to members, particularly in this chamber—the Hon. Irene Pnevmatikos, the Hon. Tammy Franks and the Hon. Connie Bonaros—and from the other place, the members for Elder, Florey, Reynell and King for their participation in the committee in the lead-up to the 125^th anniversary 2019.

A report, as members would be well aware because I am sure they have all read it, was tabled last year and made a number of recommendations. We have achieved a range of these recommendations. The first set of recommendations was in relation to organising an event, incorporating the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians conference, which was held here in October.

The conference included a segment entitled 'Getting it even' which was pitched towards young women to come to Parliament House as part of a speech competition in terms of how they would increase women's participation in politics and achieve parity of representation. That took place on 9 October. The member for Reynell and the member for Florey were also in attendance and I think also the Attorney-General. The winners of that were Rebecca Lightowler, who is known to people who participate in the Youth Parliament, and also the youngest representation from the Campbelltown City Council, Councillor Luci Blackborough, who presented to that event.

Our second range of recommendations involved a re-enactment of the 1894 debate which will be taking place. I trust that there are members of this chamber—and I know members of the other chamber who will be participating in that. We have already had one rehearsal on 25 November. We will celebrate that commencing at 7pm on 18 December. That will be live streamed for anybody who wants to witness that. I think Hansard have been great participants in that particular event. I can see some people who I know will be part of that. We also have people who will be part of the gallery, so look forward to everybody finding their inner voice in terms of interjections.

I understand that the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure will be lighting up the Riverbank footbridge in the suffrage colours of purple and yellow that evening as well. We have also made a recommendation that members should actively engage in the quasquicentenary celebrations, so the Office for Women has been very active in promoting a range of those events, which I know local members have greatly enjoyed participating in.

Things have been promoted on media. We had the hashtag #sasuffrage125, and there have been Facebook posts and Twitter posts. The grants recommendation, which I know the member for Florey was very keen on, for $125,000 in grants to go to organisations was provided by the Premier through the Office for Women. Organisations receive grants of up to $5,000 to contribute to public events and community engagement forums.

We have also asked the Joint Parliamentary Service Committee, in collaboration with the Clerks, to audit the houses of parliament to find ways in which parliament can become more family-friendly for visitors, staff and members. We have also asked the Standing Orders Committee. From my own conversations, I am aware that both presiding members are actively engaging in this process and look forward to further developments in that regard.