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Issue No. 136 | 17 May 2002 |
Modern Labour
Interview: Licking the Wounds Industrial: The Accidental Tourist Unions: Stars And Stripes International: The Un-Promised Land History: Mate Against Mate Politics: Reith's Gong Poetry: You've Got a Friend Review: War on Terror: Now Showing Satire: Burmese Regime Makes Genuine Commitment To Pretence Of Change
Solidarity In The Post To East Timor Workers Call Abbott On Democracy Bluff Wran Tells MPs: Talk to Unions Family First on Conference Agenda Cole Commission Declares Paper War Budget Attacks Retirement Incomes PSA Challenges Carr�s Secrecy Shield Welfare Staff Strike Out At Harrassment Fake Notes Expose Government as Tax Cheat Labor Faces Acid Test on Asylum Seekers New Project Encourages Cultural Exchanges Bush�s Western Saharan War And Oil Deal
The Soapbox The Locker Room Bosswatch Postcard Week in Review
More May Day Hate Mail What Women Want Chucking a Wobbly Is Caustic Costello the Despot of Despair? East Timor: Independent Or Mendicant?
Labor Council of NSW |
Letters to the Editor What Women Want
Congratulations to Alison Peters on your insightful report on the National Labor Women's Conference. The NSW delegation was a strong contingent and we were able to articulate some of the critical bread and butter issues for Labor women throughout the conference workshops. What struck me as an important point of difference was the way in which women in the ALP in NSW are able to make a difference. Rank and file pre-selection, which is so important to NSW branch members is something that has not been experienced in other states for many years. In the last Federal campaign, I was involved with the Country Labor candidates- of which 50% were women. Here were articulate, involved women, connected to their communities and able to demonstrate their understanding of the pressures and aspirations of women in rural and regional Australia. They understand the pressures of change in rural and regional communities, and were able to articulate how these changes related to policy positions of both the Labor Party and the Coalition. What women want- as Alison so rightly suggests - is a voice in the decision making processes that are part of our every day lives. The challenge of the ALP , the Labor Council and all affilated and non-affiliated unions, is to give women that voice. The recent Wran Review identified rank and file participation as critical for the prcoess of reconnection with Labor's roots. A critical part of this reconnection is the opportunity for women who are union members to connect with the Labor Party and what it represents in their terms. Alison was an active and articulate advocate on both fronts at the National Labor Women's Conference and your members can be assured that the voices of women will be heard as part of an ongoing commitment to affirmative action in the broad Labor movement - the Labor Party and affilated unions. Ursula Stephens Senior Vice President NSW Branch Australian Labor Party
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