With new analysis showing ASX200 companies with more women on their boards outperform those with less or none, the Australian Greens are calling for government to get on board.

Launching the Infinitas and Centre for Gender Economics and Innovation Gender Index in Sydney today, Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens spokesperson for women, said:

"Today's analysis shows more women on boards are not only good for gender equality but also for business.

Australian Greens spokesperson for legal affairs Senator Penny Wright says the Government should not stop at reversing cuts to the legal assistance sector, but look at increasing funding in the upcoming budget.

"Legal assistance services were operating on a shoe-string budget before the Attorney-General's cuts," Senator Wright said.

"Today's policy reversal is extremely welcome, but this should only be the beginning. The Productivity Commission's recent report said $200 million more was required just to address urgent need."

Senator Scott Ludlam, Australian Greens housing spokesperson, said:

"This announcement provides some reprieve to the funding uncertainty that has been hanging over the heads of homelessness organisations, but it doesn't negate the harm that has been caused by Tony Abbott.

The Senate Inquiry into domestic violence interim report, tabled this afternoon, recommends the Abbott Government restore the funding it has cut from domestic violence services.

Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens spokesperson for women, who established the inquiry, said:

 The theme of International Women’s Day today is Make it Happen and the Greens are calling for key improvements that governments can make happen right away.

 

“While it’s frustrating that there’s still such a long way to go to achieve gender equality, there are some clear, tangible steps that we can take right away,” Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens spokesperson for women, said.

 

"This is yet another scary insight into the Liberal Party's 1950s views on gender equality.

"That Tony Abbott thinks celebrating International Women's Day at a men's-only club is 'smashing the glass ceiling', once again shows he is unfit to be Minister for Women.
"It's telling that Tattersall's is making a special exemption for the event so that women do not have to show a 'partner card' to gain access.

"This month marks 50 years since women protested in Brisbane against a ban on drinking in public by chaining themselves to the Regatta's public bar.

The Australian Greens are calling for the Abbott Government to match its rhetoric on domestic violence with the reversal of its funding cuts to services women rely on to escape violence.

"While we welcome the government's announcement today of $30 million for a national awareness raising campaign, what women urgently need is for the government to reverse its funding cuts," Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens spokesperson for women, said.