7 May 2009
Media Statement

Government Stops Action for Women

Women's Affairs Minister Pansy Wong should come clean about her plans to axe the Action Plan for New Zealand Women, Labour Women’s Affairs Spokesperson Sue Moroney says.

“The plan sets goals for improving paid parental leave, eliminating the gender pay gap, reducing violence against women and getting women into leadership roles,” Sue Moroney said.

“In Parliament today Ms Wong would not commit to renewing the five year action plan which was introduced by Labour in 2004 and is due to be reviewed.

"Clearly Ms Wong knows that her Government has no intention of improving paid parental leave, addressing the gender pay gap or reducing violence against women. That's why she doesn't want to have an action plan that she can be held accountable to.

“It was clear in a Ministry of Women's Affairs presentation to the Business and Professional Women’s Annual Conference on Saturday that the Government did not favour action plans or strategies.

“The Minister tried to divert attention from the issue by accusing me of "gate-crashing" the conference, when in fact I was a registered participant.

"I am not surprised that the Minister got it wrong, because no National MPs bothered to turn up to this important women's conference.

“She also gave the impression that she was consulting women in regional meetings about the action plan. However, her speeches to two of these regional gatherings posted on the beehive website make no mention of the planned forthcoming review of the action plan.

“It’s important that the recession is not used as an excuse to undermine the gains women have made, but without a strong Minister advocating for women this exactly what may happen,” Sue Moroney said.

ENDS

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