Labour

National’s inaction on gender discrimination has again been highlighted with the gender pay gap now sitting at 13 per cent, says Labour’s spokesperson for Women’s Affairs Carol Beaumont.

A warning that budget cuts could lead to the introduction of waiting lists for some of New Zealand’s most at-risk women is stark evidence that the Government is not interested in dealing with violence in our society, Labour’s Women’s Affairs spokesperson Carol Beaumont says.

A recent report released by United Nations Women New Zealand titled ‘Progress of the World’s Women: In Pursuit of Justice’, reveals Kiwi women are more likely to report incidents of robbery than sexual assault, says Labour’s spokesperson for Women’s Affairs Carol Beaumont.

“The report is deeply concerning,” Carol Beaumont said.

Labour’s spokesperson for Women’s Affairs, Carol Beaumont says she agrees with the EMA Board’s decision to terminate Alasdair Thompson’s future with their organisation. 

“The views expressed by Mr Thompson were insulting and groundless,” Carol Beaumont said.

Labour's Women's Affairs spokesperson Carol Beaumont is urging National to make a stand on pay inequality and pick up the Human Rights Commission's Pay Equality Bill.

A proposal to introduce workplace show-and-tell rules regarding pay is a positive step forward in an otherwise negative and outdated environment, Labour's Women's Affairs spokesperson Carol Beaumont says.

"Labour welcomes moves by EEO Commissioner Dr Judy McGregor to bring the issue of equality at work centre stage where it rightly belongs.

Labour is challenging Women’s Affairs Minister Hekia Parata to haul employers’ boss Alisdair Thompson in to explain his comments about women taking “sick days” once a month.

Despite an increasing number of women and children relying on safe houses, the Government continues to justify cuts to domestic violence programmes, says Labour’s Women’s Affairs spokesperson Carol Beaumont and Victims’ Rights spokesperson Carmel Sepuloni.

A decision to scrap the funding forone of New Zealand’s most successful self defence programmes will put vulnerable girls and young women at risk, says Labour’s Spokesperson for Youth Affairs, Jacinda Ardern and Labour’s spokesperson for Women’s Affairs Carol Beaumont.

Labour’s Women’s Affairs spokesperson Carol Beaumont says National has underlined its lack of commitment to women by failing to give any assurance the Women’s Affairs Ministry will be retained as a separate entity, or even to give any thought to training women to take part in the Christchurch rebuilding programme.