Augusta Zadow Awards

The Hon. R.B. MARTIN (15:27): My question is to the Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector. Will the minister inform the council about the opening of nominations for this year's Augusta Zadow Awards?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:27): I thank the honourable member for his question and his strong interest in the area of worker safety and worker representation. SafeWork SA runs an award program named in honour of Augusta Zadow each year. Augusta Zadow emigrated to Australia with her family in 1877 after years of travelling around Europe working as a seamstress. Her deep concern about health and safety was ignited by some of the appalling conditions she observed in clothing factories at that time around Europe in the late 1800s.

After moving to Adelaide, Augusta Zadow became a well-known trade unionist and advocate for the working conditions of textile workers, who were overwhelmingly women. She was also a very open and active campaigner for the enfranchisement of women. She helped established the Working Women's Trade Union and became a delegate to the United Trades and Labour Council. It is an apt week to be talking about the work of unions in providing safety for workers as, in Adelaide this week, we have the Australian Council of Trade Unions Congress.

Augusta Zadow's tireless campaigning led to the passage of the shops and factories act in 1895, after which she was appointed by Premier Charles Kingston as South Australia's Lady Inspector of Factories. Following her death in 1896, her funeral was attended by the Premier and cabinet members as well as dozens of factory workers she had helped throughout her life. Her legacy is reflected in the annual Augusta Zadow Awards, which provide funding and recognition for projects that improve the health and safety of women and young workers.

Applications for the 2024 awards opened on Monday 20 May and will close on Wednesday 31 July. Successful applicants will be announced as part of National Safe Work Month in October and awards will be given at a ceremony that I know members of this chamber have attended before at Government House.