Although some events were postponed due to Cyclone Alfred, it wasn’t all bad as it turned International Women’s Day into International Women’s Month.
As the Minister for Women and Women’s Economic Security I was proud to speak at many local and state events. It was an honour to meet so many women and hear so many stories from women who create pathways for others to live their best lives.
I’ve also known some outstanding, good men who provide this servant leadership approach to unlocking opportunity and personal development of those around them regardless of gender, but it is important to give a special shoutout to the women who have and still do fulfil this role in our lives. Too often their stories aren’t told or recognised and the power to change that is in our hands.
As part of Queensland Women’s Week, I recently released the first Women’s Economic Security and Wellbeing Report. The report is an important insight into the lives of women and girls in Queensland and is part of the Queensland Government’s commitment for positive pathways to helping women thrive wherever they live. It provides a snapshot that highlights the barriers and challenges women and girls face in Queensland hindering their economic security and wellbeing, and where further action is needed.
Importantly the report will inform the first Women’s Economic Security Strategy which I will be taking out for public consultation to be written for women and by women to identify opportunities for change. It will be integrated across government to help address barriers in health, housing, safety, justice, education, employment, and training, including the consideration for the overlays for women with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
The Statistics are real, for example, 15.4% of women retire with no personal income. The fastest growing cohort of homelessness is women aged over 55 and one in seven women (of all ages) are living under the poverty line in Australia.
I want to see women have equal opportunities and to be able to thrive and do well, which is good for themselves but also their families and the community.
As the Minister for Women and Women’s Economic Security I am committed to delivering accelerated actions across a number of these areas and working with government, community and business to better support women.
I welcome you to join me on the journey to getting better outcomes that help women and girls and our community do well. If you have any questions in relation to the report, please let me know as I am happy to talk with you.
You can download a copy at: https://www.publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/womens-economic-security-wellbeing-report-2025/resource/e6778844-fbbc-4ee7-993a-e7beab19c7d4 or if you would like a hardcopy, please contact my office and we can send one to you.
