Albanese Government Affirms Working Women's Centres with New Funding - Basic Rights Queensland

Albanese Government Affirms Working Women’s Centres with New Funding

We are excited to announce that we have received additional funding to continue helping women and gender-diverse people who are experiencing sexual harassment, discrimination and other workplace issues. We could tell you why we think that’s a great thing, or you could watch this video to hear from our clients and our team themselves on the important work that Working Women’s Centres do.

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Working Women’s Centres (WWC) have been funded in every state and territory. The Albanese Government has provided additional funding for established centres in South Australia, Queensland and Northern Territory, as well as providing funding to establish Working Women’s Centres in states and territories that don’t currently have one.

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The established South Australian, Northern Territory and Queensland WWCs have been fighting for ongoing and expanded funding for decades and welcome the expansion of the WWC network.

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It’s always heartbreaking to have someone approach our service for support from out of state, and have to tell them that there’s nowhere they can go for the help they need. We’re looking forward to not having to do that anymore soon, once these new centres get established.

The funding responds to Recommendation 49 of the Respect@Work report which stated: Australian governments provide increased and recurrent funding to Working Women’s Centres to provide information, advice, and assistance to vulnerable workers who experience sexual harassment.

The Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Kate Jenkins, in her Respect@ Work Report recognised the unique holistic support provided by Working Women’s Centres: “We found they were uniquely the most effective, victim-centric model that could deliver support, advice [and] advocacy to women [across a] range of issues in their work.”

WWCs provide crucial legal, education and advocacy services to those experiencing workplace issues, predominately sexual harassment and discrimination. Legal advice and representation for working women is free, confidential and trauma informed.

Centres will also undertake important work to prevent sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace by providing workplace training and community education to assist employers to create safe workplaces.

WWCs have always worked in partnership with the women’s movement, trade unions, all levels of government and legal providers to assist women who fall through the cracks. This new funding will strengthen these relationships nationwide.

Working Women Queensland Director Eloise Dalton says “We currently provide services to over 1000 women each year. This funding means we can continue to provide critical services to women who have nowhere else to turn when faced with sexual harassment, discrimination, bullying and underpayments. The existing and newly established Centres will play a crucial role in advocating for the rights and well-being of women in the workforce.”

You can read the full media release here.

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