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Women's Budget Statement 2011-12

Minister Kate Ellis has released the Women's Budget Statement 2011-12 which aims at ensuring women and men have equal opportunity to participate in society.

Over the last four years, the Labor Government has been working hard to introduce practical supports to improve women's lives - including increasing families' choices through initiatives such as additional child care benefits and paid parental leave. The Gillard Labor Government has also boosted women's economic security through the introduction of the Fair Work Act 2009 and superannuation reforms.

This year, they have delivered ground breaking reforms to reduce domestic and family violence and improve the otucomes for women in the workplace.

Most Australian women want the choice to pursue paid employment and be active members of their families, at a range of different points in their lives. Many men today also want to play a greater role in raising children than in earlier generations.

The Gillard Government believes that families should be supported in making their own choices about combining work and family.

Measures in the Federal Budget 2011-12 represent significant steps in advancing gender equality in this country, to the benefit of all Australians.

For more information on the Women's Budget Statement, go to:

www.scribd.com/doc/55502748/Womens-Budget-Statement-2011-12

The 2011 National Labor Women's Conference - "Labor Women: Lead, Challenge, Inspire" was held in Brisbane on the 14th and 15th May 2011 with almost 250 women members of the ALP in attendance.

Officially opened by Queensland Premier and National President of the ALP, Hon Anna Bligh MP, the Conference included keynote addresses from writer, journalist and leading feminist, Dr Anne Summers and Dr Cordelia Fine, academic psychologist and writer.

Minister Kate Ellis provided a Minister's Address and joined a panel of Ministers for Women along with Hon Karen Struthers MP from Queensland and Malarndirri McCarthy MLA from the Northern Territory.

The Conference included 12 Parallel Sessions highlighting important issues for women including pay equity and paid parental leave, domestic violence clauses, combating eating disorders, women with disabilities, climate change and many more.

The Conference passed 20 resolutions which will now be going forward to the ALP National Policy Committee for consideration into the ALP National Platform.