Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Women. Friday next week, 8 March, is International Women's Day, a day to celebrate women's achievements. On 28 September last year, Minister, you wrote:

… we know there is no point encouraging more women into the workforce, if the workplace is not safe.

Female unionists have driven change in this country for more than a hundred years. They have a long history of suffrage, standing up and fighting for change that makes Australia a better place. This morning I brought a bill to the chamber seeking to protect vulnerable women from the construction division of the CFMEU and men like John Setka and to help these women be safe. Instead of supporting this bill, this government, a government that you are a minister in—the Minister for Women no less—said it will not support the bill. Minister, how do you reconcile your lack of support for these working women with your role as the Minister for Women?