Today, Labor has launched a major national consultation on gender equality: Setting the Agenda.

Bill Shorten made the announcement at the UN Women International Women’s Day Parliamentary Breakfast. 

The consultation will be led by the Deputy Opposition Leader and Shadow Minister for Women, Tanya Plibersek and the Status of Women Caucus Committee. They will be will speaking with people across the country throughout 2017. Terri Butler will continue to lead Labor's response to domestic and family violence.                            

The Setting the Agenda consultation will be the first step in developing Labor’s comprehensive blueprint for equality. 

We know a lot of the barriers to equality women face, but we want the opportunity to talk to Australians about the solutions. 

Labor has a rich legacy of advancing women’s rights, but there’s more for us to do as a nation, including tackling domestic violence, economic inequality and improving women's health.

If rhetoric was all we needed – we’d be there already.

We need action on the stark inequalities in the gender pay gap, retirement incomes, homelessness and family violence – just to name a few. 

Equality for women is a test of what we do: as parents, as public figures and as a Parliament. We need a concrete plan – for real action. That’s what Labor will deliver. 

THURSDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2017