Australian women have a strong voice

Press, 31 March 1981, Page 12

Australian women have a strong voice

By

JACQUELINE STEINCAMP

The problems of women in the workforce in an era of technological change are matters of considerable concern to the N.S.W. Women’s Advisory Council (W.A.C.), according to its .chairperson, Ms Kaye Loder, a Sydney solicitor. W.A.C. is increasingly disturbed by the negative effects on women’s employment and family welfare posed by technological advances such as word processors, which in Sydney are doing the work of 200,000 typists. Big, capital-intensive industries such as aluminium smelters also offer few jobs for women.

Violence against women is the other major issue of concern to the council. But will it be able to do anything about these issues?

Judging by a fine track record during the first half of International Women's Decade, W.A.C.’s voice will be heard — and acted upon — by the N.S.W. Government. Established in 1976 by the State Premier, Mr Neville Wran, W.A.C. provides something of a blueprint for an effective women’s lobby. It has immense clout and the power to carry out farranging programmes, and has won the respect of the Government, private enterprise and women’s organisations. What is its secret? “We are very happy with the appointments Mr Wran has made to the council. Although it might appear that we are associated with many conservative groups, the actual individuals appointed are anything but conservative. 1 Ms Loder mentioned particularly Sr Margaret Doyle, a convent principal, as one with a particularly realistic and courageous approach to anything concerning women’s dignity, welfare and equality. W.A.C. makes a. point of taking into account the views of women’s groups and will not make initiatives without first obtaining a wide spectrum of views. “We take into account the views of all organisations and many of them work with us,‘ Kaye Loder said. “Council members are available to speak to groups, and. frequent visits are made for discussions around the State. 1 Ms Loder said that a project such as New Zealand’s Women on the Run. would have been launched only after thorough consultation with key groups. W.A.C. is given “muscle 1 through the services of a well-staffed and generouslyfunded Women's Co-Ordina-tion Unit within the Premier’s Department. The Unit’s chief objective is to

raise'the status of women in N.S.W. As well as providing secretarial and administrative assistance, .the unit collates data and researches women's issues. Recently it ran a major survey on unemployment in women, using unemployed women as researchers. It fosters programmes designed to improve opportunities for women and their dependants, and liaises with unions, employer associations, welfare agencies and women’s groups. The 15 W.A.C. workers receive expenses only, and are appointed for two-year terms. The 10-person Women’s Co-ordination Unit, however, with a budget of over $150,000 in the last financial year, is staffed by specially seconded public servants picked for their .ability and commitment to social justice for women. It functions as an integral part of the Premier’s office, and works closely with the AntiDiscrimination Commission and various ethnic organisations. Unlike the conservative Australian National Women’s Advisory Council, where appointments are made by a Fraser Government increasingly compliant to the demands of the morality lobby, the N.S.W. Women’s Advisory Council has the confidence of a wide spectrum of women, including feminists. W.A.C.’s effectiveness and success reflect Neville Wran’s own liberalism and healthy rapport with people of both sexes. It also reflects the secure position of the N.S.W. Labour Government. In W.A.C.’s five years of operation, with assistance from the Women’s Unit and co-operation from women's groups, it has made detailed submissions to the Premier on an astonishing range of subjects. A particularly clearsighted appraisal of the many facets of women’s oppression anil the causes of inequality has resulted - in some hard-hitting recommendations which might be thought “not quite nice 1 in New Zealand. What is even more surprising, is W.A.C.’s high rate of success. W.A.C. has protested against internal examination of-women by Customs officers, asking that medical practitioners only be used. On the question of birth defects, W.A.C. recommended -that all- births be recorded

fully, with details of whether deliveries were normal or not, any congenital or birth defects, the mother’s place of birth and residence. The aim is a closer monitoring of the pattern and incidence of birth defects. Prostitution should be decriminalised, W.A.C. has urged, and the offence of soliciting and penalties for persons who live off the proceeds of prostitution be repealed. The only punishment should be for those who extort money from prostitutes. ' Conditions at a women’s prison were also of concern. W.A.C. recommended that regular visits be paid by a gynecologist, that an activities officer be appointed, and that maximum security inmates be held separately from other prisoners. W.A.C. asked for mothercraft nurses to be made available for at least two months to families after multiple births. The council was horrified by social welfare policies in the late, seventies which cut benefits to women in defacto relationships. It urged that “instant defacto marriage be not imposed upon beneficiaries and pensioners of different sexes who share a house regardless of whether or not a sexual relationship exists. 1 It also asked for a single category lone parent benefit. W.A.C.’s submissions on a proposed “ethnic 1 television channel were adopted almost to the letter by the State Government, and have resulted in a non-commercial service of a standard that is attracting a very large audience. One of its most successful ventures has been the femin-ist-oriented radio programme, “The Coming Out Show, 1 which broadcasts regularly on A.B.C. on Saturdays at 5 p.m. This is a news-and-views programme aimed at raising the consciousness of all women. It enjoys a large audience. Last year W.A.C. sponsored Australia’s first national conference on women, sport and physical recreation; ran a seminar on parttime work; sponsored a middecade women’s convention; held numerous meetings; made submissions on rape law reform; published a number of booklets and pamphlets; and developed a work-related child care feasibility study of an inner-city area. It is.'studying domestic violence in preparation for major initiatives on that subject. .