Aust. model for Ministry?

Press, 23 October 1984, Page 8

Aust. model for Ministry?

Many people are still wondering about the functions of the new Ministry of Women’s Affairs., From the comments of, the Women’s Affairs Minister, Mrs Ann Hercus, it seems likely that it may be modelled on the Australian Commonwealth Office of the Status of Women. This is attached to the Prime Minister’s Department.

Engagements

Bingham—Stuart: Fred and Marj Bingham, of Riccarton, together with Bernard and Lexie Stuart, Timaru, have great pleasure in announcing the engagement of Carren and Grant. Coleman—Burn: It is with pleasure and surprise that the engagement is announced between Rosey, elder daughter of Noeline and the late John Burn, and Pete, elder son of Noel and Mavis Coleman, Auckland.

The Australian office has, however, established strong links with Aboriginal women. An Aboriginal Women’s 1 Task Force is based in the office. This provides an advisory and information network for Aboriginal women throughout the Australian Commonwealth. The office co-ordinates general policies to raise the status of women, and monitors Government policies and legislation. : It has also established mechanisms for community consultation, a women’s emergency ser- 1 vices programme, and affirmative action programmes to support the Sex Discrimination Act 1983 and the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. The portrayal of women in films and the participation of women in film-mak-

ing, is another concern of the Australian office. Its Shopfront information' Service in panberra, publishes and provides information. Highlights from its annual report, 1982-83, include:— • Women’s refuges: Monitoring the circumstances of Women’s Refuges through-, out Australia, and reporting on any difficulties; assisting with a national Women’s Refuge Conference. As a result of findings from the conference, the Federal Government provided S4M in 1983-84 to establish a national women’s emergency services programme. Priority is being given to establishing award wages for refuge workers. • Women and the law: Developing the 1983. Sex Discrimination Bill; monitoring the impact of the Family Law Act on women.

• Employment of women: Inclusion on an Employment Taskforce which led to the Government announcement tha| equal access is to be provided for women under the Community Employment Programme. Involvement at an O.E.C.D. meeting on the role of, women in the economy. Co-operation in the report on ways to ensure that sex discrimination, legislation is effective in the Australian Public Service. Preparation of a paper for an' International Labour Organisation regional meeting on women workers. • National ' Economic Summit Conference: Providing background information for the conference. ® Education and training: Participation on the schools commission working party; and > advisory committees concerned with women and technical education.

® International activities: Following Australia’s election to the Unitied Nations .Commission oh'the Status of Women, the .'office acts as the focal point for the end-of-decade conference in Nairobi, July 1985. Influencing the Australian Government to increase its contribution to the voluntary fund for the United Nations Decade for Women. ... . • Advisers; on women’s affairs:. Arranging regular meetings f with Commonwealth and state government ’advisers on women’s affairs. • Women’s appointment file: Fromj June 1983 the office has? administered a register off Women qualified , to serve on government advisory committees. —Jacqueline Steincamp !■