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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-11-24 Daily Xml
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WHITE RIBBON DAY

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS (14:35): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for the Status of Women a question about White Ribbon Day.

Leave granted.

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS: White Ribbon Day marks the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence held annually, culminating in International Human Rights Day on 10 December. Can the minister tell the chamber about some of the events and activities that will be taking place as part of the 20011 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the Status of Women) (14:36): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. Before I go on to talk more specifically about White Ribbon Day, I would just like to remind members that one of the key problems that we have in stamping out violence against women is the negative cultural attitudes towards women that continue to persist, particularly language that reinforces negative attitudes towards women.

Mr President, I would like to give you a very timely example. I know that most members here are familiar with Twitter, and I have been made aware of an extremely negative, thoughtless, and very sexist tweet sent out by the Liberal member for Finniss (Michael Pengilly) in another place—

Honourable members: Shame!

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: —in which he referred to Julia Gillard—and I quote from his tweet—'a real dog'. How can we continue to prevent derogatory, sexist attitudes to women when a member of parliament—a so-called leader in our community—feels that it is appropriate to refer to our Prime Minister in this way?

The use of derogatory language towards women feeds stereotypical views which can work to essentially sanction things like harassment and violence against women in our communities. This type of language suggests that women do not deserve to be treated and spoken to in a respectful manner. Our leaders should be setting an example, not perpetuating negative images.

This is really shameful, particularly on the eve of White Ribbon Day, and I call upon Ms Isobel Redmond to reprimand this member. Perhaps she should suggest that he become a White Ribbon Day ambassador and actually get out there on the ground and do some work in that area to repair some of the damage that he has created. I understand that the social network has lit up in disgust in response to Michael Pengilly's comments.

Mr President, as you know, every year on 25 November, White Ribbon Day is marked through a range of events held across Australia and around the world. In 1999 the United Nations General Assembly declared 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, with a white ribbon as its symbol.

White Ribbon Day is part of the White Ribbon campaign, Australia's only national male-led violence prevention campaign, and the largest global male-led movement to stop men's violence against women. As part of the White Ribbon campaign, men are invited to make a difference by swearing an oath never to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women.

Men and women across Australia are encouraged to wear a white ribbon as a symbol of this oath. By swearing the oath and wearing a white ribbon, men and women can openly show their commitment to challenging and changing the attitudes and behaviours which contribute to violence against women.

A range of events are held throughout the month of November to mark White Ribbon Day and the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence. I will provide members with a short detail of these events. The fourth annual Adelaide White Ribbon Breakfast will be held tomorrow at the Banquet Room, Adelaide Festival Centre, from 7am to 9am. The 2011 breakfast is coordinated by the White Ribbon Adelaide Breakfast Committee, which includes members from the Coalition for Men Supporting Non-Violence, Zonta, Business and Professional Women SA, and women's organisations.

The breakfast will be officially opened by Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce, Governor of South Australia. I understand the Premier, the Hon. Jay Weatherill, and the federal Minister for the Status of Women, the Hon. Kate Ellis, will also be addressing the gathering. The guest speaker is Dr Michael Flood, a nationally and internationally-recognised sociologist, researcher and academic from the University of Wollongong. Dr Flood is an activist on men's role in the primary prevention of violence against women and a White Ribbon ambassador.

As well as the breakfast, a Men in the Mall event will be held tomorrow from midday under the canopy near Gawler Place. The event features a DJ, South Australian personalities and entertainers, and aims to encourage men and women to show their support for White Ribbon Day by wearing a white ribbon and swearing the white ribbon oath. The event is coordinated by the Coalition for Men Supporting Non-Violence.

As members might recall, I provided a grant of $30,000 to the Coalition for Men Supporting Non-Violence. This one-off grant was provided to ensure that men and boys across South Australia have an opportunity to become actively engaged in a conversation around violence and abuse against women in our community. During 2011, I understand the coalition has coordinated ambassador training sessions throughout metropolitan and regional areas. This includes a forum being held tonight, featuring Dr Michael Flood, the gentleman I referred to earlier.

Other White Ribbon Day activities taking place across South Australia include the Zonta Club of Clare and Districts white ribbon awareness morning, the Murray Bridge Domestic and Family Violence Action Group barbecue and Shout No event, and the Port Augusta Family Violence Action Group Say No to Violence awareness-raising events at local pubs and hotels.

I want to acknowledge the White Ribbon ambassadors here in this place and thank them for their commitment to this important cause. We have the Hon. Ian Hunter, the Hon. John Gazzola, the Hon. John Darley, the Hon. Mark Parnell, the Hon. Stephen Wade, the Hon. Robert Brokenshire, the Hon. Russell Wortley and the Hon. John Dawkins. Thank you all for your ongoing support and commitment.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Ms Lensink has a supplementary question.

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