Equality strides for women reinforced in State Budget

The State Budget is creating more pathways to prosperity and equality for Queensland’s women and girls.

Minister for Women Di Farmer said continued investment in women’s programs, services and strategies totalling $51 million reinforced the government’s commitment for every Queenslander to participate fully in all aspects of Queensland life.

“In this budget we continue to provide strong foundations for women, children, young people and families so they are ready to take on the challenges of the future,” she said.

“We’ve made fantastic progress since this government invested in gender equality in Queensland.

“However, there are persistent issues that continue to prevent women and girls from fully taking part in our society.”

Ms Farmer said she would continue to push for action and services to address the areas where significant barriers still existed.

“We know participation and leadership, economic security, safety as well as health and wellbeing are the four priority areas where we need to be vigilant and persistent in our actions,” she said.

“That’s why we will continue to support the implementation of the Queensland Women’s Strategy, and hone our efforts encouraging government, the private sector and the wider Queensland community to take action to achieve gender equality in Queensland. 

“We will continue to prioritise education and employment opportunities for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women with $2.3 million for Indigenous girls (Years 7-12) programs to encourage young Indigenous women to remain at school and actively engage in education until the completion of Year 12.

Ms Farmer said there was significant funding for education and training initiatives to support women, including $217,000 to assist young women transitioning from state care to pursue higher education, and $80 million for the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to assist disadvantaged Queenslanders, including women aged 15 years and over.

“We will continue to deliver the Women on Boards initiative to increase the number of women on boards in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.

“And happily our efforts are already paying off. The number of women serving on Queensland Government bodies rose from 31 per cent to 45 per cent as at 31 March 2018.”

Ms Farmer said the successful Queensland Women's Week would again be supported in 2018-19 to celebrate the contributions of Queensland women.

Other funding includes:

• $6.5 million over three years for the new Female Founders and Researchers program
• $400,000 to deliver the Advancing Women in Business industry partnership program
• Over $230,000 for the Working Women Queensland program
• Increased funding of $8.1 million over four years to expand the Townsville Specialist DFV Court (including circuit courts in Mount Isa and Palm Island) to include criminal DFV matters.
• Over $7 million to construct new and replacement shelters for women and children escaping DFV
• Additional $350,000 in funding for state-wide telephone service DVConnect
• $10.1 million to continue funding sexual assault services
• $559,000 for Legal Aid Queensland to provide services to victims seeking to prevent disclosure of private counselling sessions under Queensland’s new sexual assault counselling privilege.
• $44.2 million for breast cancer screening services
• $5.3 million to continue funding for women’s health services, supporting the wellbeing of women affected by DFV and sexual violence
• Over $96.3 million for family support services, including counselling, pregnancy and parenting support services; and
• $15 million for the Female Facilities Program to provide inclusive sporting amenities that support female participation in sport and recreation.

ENDS 

Media Contact:                      Ron Goodman             0427 781 920