Welcome to WEL Victoria

Women’s Electoral Lobby is a feminist non-party political lobby group, established in Melbourne on 27 February 1972.

Throughout this website, you will see many of our current and early references, using interesting links showing past submissions and information about WEL’s policies. Click to display a link then press the left arrow to return.

Federal Budget 2019  For WEL Australia media statement CLICK here.  The TOP policy areas are: Eliminating violence against women; Women’s health; Equitable taxation system; Improved social services; Vocational education and training; Affordable housing; Rights and protection for women with disability; Adequate retirement income for women; Job security, flexibility and working time; Gender pay equality; Childcare; Strengthening women’s representation at all decision-making levels.

Good News: * The Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins has announced a National Enquiry into sexual harassment at Australian workplaces and an address to the U.N. Human Rights Council about abuse of women and girls – see Discrimination page. * ACT public servants to be trained to identify domestic violence.

Equal Pay Day: CLICK to find out all about it!

   * better access to quality affordable child care

* better welfare system for women in poverty

* 40 percent women on boards and selection panels

* stop male violence against women

WEL VICTORIA POLICIES: 

1. Ensure costs and benefits are fairly distributed between women and men; 

2. Value and reward people’s different skills  and contributions;

3. Recognise the value of caring and supporting roles, whether paid or unpaid;

4. Rectify past and current inequalities between men and women;

 5. Enhance opportunities for both women and men to take on equal rights and responsibilities.

OUR ONGOING CAMPAIGNS including alerts on discrimination, violence and sexism. Women have had enough of male violence. Lobby your politicians to end violence against women and children. Men must not turn the other way when they see violence, else they are colluding in criminal behaviour. WEL Victoria supports the new #ME TOO Campaign against work abuse. WEL Victoria will lobby against the high cost of University fees and urges the government to fully fund the Gonski reforms for better education. 

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!  Our recent lobbying:

* fair treatment for women in low paid jobs who are trying to balance work and family responsibilities;

* fair treatment of women affected by changes to Industrial Relations Laws;

*  accessible, affordable and quality child care;

* support the Family Violence Bill of Victoria which deals with violence against women. See our Issues/Violence page and WEL Australia’s draft submission to the National Council on Violence.

LOBBYING GETS RESULTS – Previous Sex Discrimination Commissioner of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, Elizabeth Broderick, conducted a Listening Tour around Australia and announced a “roadmap towards gender equality”.  CLICK  for HREOC Media Release with proposed outcomes for women, in tune with WEL’s lobbying.

AND MORE LOBBYING – The Federal Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee has  inquired into the effectiveness of the Commonwealth Sex Discrimination Act 1984 in eliminating discrimination and promoting gender equality.  CLICK  for WEL Australia submission.

SUCCESSFUL LOBBYING – Labor Policy: Federal Government boards to comprise at least 40 percent women. We will be lobbying the Government to amend the Corporations Act to ensure this in all public companies.  CLICK for the WEL submission calling for 40 percent women on boards and in government. As Anne Summers told the nation on TV “We must continue to fight.” National Press Club Address, 6 March 2019.

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WEL Australia has developed a policy which we all endorse: Women and Children’s Safety Program (WCSP). This program aims to keep women and their  children safe.  To pledge support visit www.wel.org.au/pledge_wel  

WEL Australia statement covering key issues affecting women – CLICK to read it.

The National Foundation for Australian Women has released “Gender Lens on 2018-19 Budget” with 72 recommendations to Government. Visit nfaw.org.

And Iola Mathews, a co-founder of WEL, has released her new book about the long and ongoing battle for equal pay “Winning for Women: A Personal Story”. See more in our Books page. 

Send WEL Victoria an email on any matter important to women at info@welvic.org.au.

Thank you, your opinion and ideas count.

THINK WEL BEFORE YOU VOTE!