What do local services want in a new Minister for Women? Firstly, for the appointment to be a woman.
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Tony Abbott's defeat in the Liberal leadership spill this week means new Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will replace the former leader's portfolios in a cabinet reshuffle.
Women's Health Goulburn North East executive officer, Susie Reid, said she hopes Mr Turnbull will support the entry of women into all parts of parliament business, especially improving the number of female ministers.
She did not rate Mr Abbott's time as Minister for Women highly.
"I don't think it's been on the agenda," Ms Reid said.
"Women have suffered under Tony Abbott."
She called for an long-term overhaul of domestic violence services on the Border to be a top priority of the government, including a commitment to more funding for both crisis response and prevention.
Services are currently hampered by cross-border issues such as laws being different from NSW to Victoria, police being unable to pursue criminals over state lines and child protection orders not being valid.
"We see it very clearly with work to prevent violence against women," Ms Reid said.
"(Changing the laws) will take real grunt, but it needs to happen."
(Changing the laws) will take real grunt, but it needs to happen.
- Susie Reid
She said improving sexual and reproductive health should also be on the agenda for the new Minister for Women.
Mr Abbott said he allocated his ministerial roles on merit, which resulted in one woman in cabinet to begin with, before being increased to two when Sussan Ley was promoted to Health Minister.
Ms Reid said if that attitude continued, the work of current male ministers should be very closely examined.
“I think we’ve seen a real lack of merit in the men,” she said.
But she said the issue of gender should be part of ensuring equality in all policies, including finance, education and housing.
“It’s not just about what it perceived as women’s issues,” Ms Reid said.
“With tax, the impact on women is different to the impact on men.”
Mr Turnbull said this week when challenging Mr Abbott that “we need advocacy, not slogans”, which sparked hope within WHGNE.
Ms Reid said in light of those comments, the Prime Minister should take on women’s issues as a top priority.
Mr Turnbull said he expected the new ministry to be sworn in on Monday and indicated women’s advocates might get their wish for cabinet.
“There is no greater enthusiast than me for seeing women in positions of power and influence in parliament, in ministries, right across the country,” he said.
“I can assure you of that, I’m very committed to that.”
