International Day of Families

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (16:30): I move:

That this council—

1. Acknowledges that 15 May is International Day of Families;

2. Recognises International Day of Families as an annual observance reflecting the importance that community places on families as basic units of society;

3. Recognises that every family is different, and families can be defined in many ways; and

4. Acknowledges the difficult circumstances experienced by many families during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

I am pleased to rise today to move this motion to recognise the United Nations International Day of Families. This is an opportunity for all of us to contemplate the importance of family to any one individual person's life and the contributions of family to our community. This special day is also an opportunity to celebrate the roles of families not only in our own lives but across the broader community.

The 15^th of May is International Day of Families, as designated by the United Nations. This is a time to reflect on what family means. Last year, I spoke about the activities that are held locally, nationally and internationally to celebrate this important day, from movie nights to teddy bear picnics for children. I also remarked that events for International Day of Families would ordinarily attract more than 100,000 participants nationwide, with the involvement of more than 100 organisations in South Australia alone. Ordinarily businesses, councils, community groups and sporting clubs are all encouraged to hold events and celebrate the special role of families. Of course, this year these types of events will not be happening, which, although unfortunate, is the right thing to do as we practise social distancing so we may combat the COVID-19 pandemic as a united front.

In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution which established 15 May as the International Day of Families, with the intention to increase the understanding of economic, demographic and social changes that affect families and as a mechanism to encourage communities to reflect upon the significance of families around the world. The enduring aim of the day is to continue to raise awareness of the issues that families face around the globe and what can be done to address these concerns at a government and community level.

This is a particularly important message for all of us to consider here in this chamber. We are privileged to have the power to help our community be the best it can be. Families everywhere have undoubtedly shouldered a massive burden during the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. Economic stresses, job losses, caring for out-of-school children while juggling work responsibilities and protecting vulnerable family members have been daily challenges for millions of families in Australia and worldwide.

I have made phone calls to many households recently to check in and see how people are going. I have nothing but the utmost respect for the way in which many families have mobilised during this time, juggling so many responsibilities, and have at times struggled with balancing work responsibilities and caring responsibilities, a struggle that cannot be seen outside of the home, knowing that their efforts are for a higher purpose that is keeping the community safe.

So I do want to acknowledge here today the difficult circumstances many families have faced in recent times. I also wish to acknowledge that for so many families, you have faced massive disruption to your lives. You have kept on keeping on and have continued to adapt, continued to do your best, continued to face challenges while caring for vulnerable people such as children and elderly relatives.

The impact of COVID-19 on our society will be felt for a long time. We are cautiously emerging from strict restrictions and look to enter a recovery phase. I think there is an opportunity here to consider how our economy and society can function to foster greater equality. I say this noting that women continue to shoulder a disproportionate level of unpaid work in the domestic settings, often while balancing paid work. If we can achieve greater equality for families, we can achieve greater equality for women.

I have also spoken with many people who were very pleased to see their workplaces adapt to flexible working arrangements, and they expressed a desire for these flexible working arrangements beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. This is an opportunity for workplaces to examine which traditional ways of working exist because of convention or tradition, not because of necessity. This is also an opportunity to have a conversation about enabling families to have a greater choice in how their work and home responsibilities fit together.

One of the most important roles that each family in our community can have is the role of educating the next generation. Let us take time to consider what we can learn from this time and how we can be a fairer society moving forward. Let us consider whether the new ways that workplaces have adapted can be of benefit to so many who are struggling to maintain work-life balance. Our families, in whatever form they may take, are our first educators. Our families teach us about the world. Through the power of education, families help to build our society, and so much of this starts at home. It is my privilege to commend this motion to the house.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. D.G.E. Hood.