Statements by Members (AA)

Labor Government Supporting Affirmative Action

VIDEO

In terms of tests of resolve, I'll tell you what we're celebrating today: 30 years of affirmative action. Now that's a test of resolve, from the oldest party in the country—diversity, represented on the seats in this House, in this government. It is no surprise that, when the Labor Party adopted the affirmative action quota 30 years ago, they planned to smash a ceiling, a ceiling that kept women down and out of this place. In doing so, they smashed lots of ceilings. Have a look at the representation and the diversity on this side of the House in this first ever majority female government. But look at the diversity in language, in ethnicity, in background. This government reflects 30 years of a Labor Party determined to represent every electorate in this country. I am a really proud member of the Albanese Labor government. I'm proud of the women who came before me, proud of the decades of work that they did, influencing people, having those critical conversations to get a party to make a commitment. Carmen Lawrence said on the day we did this that the Liberal Party would have to follow. Carmen got a lot of things right; it's a pity she didn't get that bit right. It's a pity they didn't listen and learn.