Andrew Leigh (Fenner, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Treasury) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In more than 40 events across Australia today, tens of thousands of women gathered to call for independent investigations into gendered violence, full implementation of 2020 Respect@Work report, additional funding for gendered violence prevention and a federal gender equality law. Outside this building, more than 5,000 people rallied.

Some Canberrans shared their stories and their frustrations with my staff and myself. These are their words. From Cath: 'I was assaulted and I was not anywhere I shouldn't have been. I'm here because it's time.' From Robyn: 'Enough is enough. It's been enough for a very long time.' From Therese: 'Having to console a 19-year-old girl who has been raped that her outfit had nothing to do with what happened to her shouldn't be needed. Politicians need to respectfully listen and engage. They need to respect and to meet us halfway.' From Joan: 'I'm just profoundly sad and very angry that a lot is happening still and for the silence of our federal government.' And from Beth: 'I'm 11 and I have had enough of harassment. I'm really angry with harassment. We have to let women be safe.' For all those who marched today, thank you. It's time we in this building listened and acted.