What is the NSW Women’s Advisory Council?
The Council advises the NSW Government, and specifically the Minister for Women, on the issues affecting women and girls across the state and promotes equitable policy outcomes across the work of government. The objectives of the Council are to:
- Provide specialist advice across the three key priority areas identified in the NSW Women’s Strategy 2023–2026.
- Contribute to the implementation of the Strategy.
- Facilitate consultation with individuals and community organisations as required.
NSW Women’s Advisory Council 2024-26 Plan Summary
Not government, not bureaucracy…uniquely positioned to advise and challenge
The Council has a range of expertise that is relevant to government and will bring that expertise to the table. Yet it recognises that its role is neither that of government (policy direction and decision making) nor the bureaucracy (development and execution). It recognises this distinction by offering a diverse range of views on government strategy and priorities. The Council works in a contested environment with many other players. The Council understands that it is a unique and authoritative voice when it stands close to the women’s policy agenda and Strategy, provided respectfully through constructive advice and—from time to time—constructive criticism.
Diverse perspectives
Council members directly and through their contact with broader constituencies in a variety of ways, can tap into a diverse range of perspectives on issues. Members are keenly conscious of the benefits in considering intersectionality for women across many priority populations including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, regional and rural, LGBTIQA+, disability, and those marginalised by their socioeconomic status, race, language, and culture. In addition, there is agreement on the importance of taking a lifecycle perspective in discussions. Members will actively seek input to make sure their advice is as complete as possible.
Supporting the Minister and government to shift systems
Council members recognise the power of working in different ways, as set out in the diagram. And while they may tap into all ways of working from time to time, the major ways will be in identifying and responding to policy gaps, and supporting the Minister and government to shift systems so they are more responsive to gendered issues. The Council will work with the Minister and government to continue to drive improved performance in gender issues by considering progress and effectiveness in implementing the Strategy.
This section captures the major focus areas for the Council. These are the areas where there will be a concerted effort to form a view and advise the Minister.
The major focus areas for the council:
- Are grounded in the NSW Women’s Strategy 2023-2026 and are focused on the responsibilities of the NSW Government.
- Are areas of particular concern to members.
- Respond to opportunities in the operating environment, particularly the Women NSW work program and other current initiatives.
- Demand an intersectional lens be applied, alongside a consideration of lifecycle stage.
- Have the potential to shift systems across the state, which in turn will deliver outcomes for women.
The focus areas can be considered as seeking foundational change, which is an enduring priority, or seeking immediate impact through initiatives.
A major ongoing focus for the Council is achieving foundational change. Such change can be challenging to achieve and requires action across multiple years. The approach will be to scope out smaller achievable shifts (stages) and deliver on those before progressing to the next small shifts.
There are three foundational change areas in this plan: gendered data collection and use of language; gendered norms, and exploring a gender equality framework.
These focus areas are time limited, and either capitalise on the Women NSW work program to advise on the content or initiate new projects to be supported by Women NSW.
There are two time-limited initiatives in this plan: a proposal regarding an intersectional gendered lens to NSW inquiries and reviews; and implementing Gender Equality Action Plans.
The actions in this plan are a combination of:
Work that leverages projects already underway by Women NSW and elsewhere.
- We expect that this work will show more progress and require relatively less effort.
New work, or work that requires some investigation before being able to identify an opportunity to leverage.
- We expect that this work will be slower and require more effort.
Opportunistic areas
The Council identified a range of areas to keep on the radar should a significant opportunity arise. Following are the key opportunities. Each of these opportunities leverages existing mechanisms.
| Focus Area | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Supporting engagement with Commonwealth responsibilities | The Commonwealth Government has the lead on many issues affecting the women of NSW, including:
|
| Changing/shaping new programs | This focus area leverages the existing mechanism of Women NSW grant programs. The Council is not involved in program design. However, it has considerable expertise and authority in identifying program gaps and potential focus areas. |
| Identifying potential new priorities | This focus area leverages two mechanisms:
Both mechanisms may inform budget priorities. |
Emergent issues for exploration
For any of these items, the Council may consider inviting Non-Government Organisations, Peaks, or other advisory Councils with appropriate expertise to explore further.
Issues
- Current government strategy development, such as for housing.
- Women on visas and impacts on service access.
- Early Childhood Education and Childcare (ECEC) and gender norms, and Department of Education perspective.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander data sovereignty, specifically regarding women.
- Health: the experience of women navigating the health system; an intersectional gender lens over health policy and spending, especially women's health and reproductive health; improving access to health services for rural women.
- Increasing the gendered lens on existing strategies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, such as OCHRE the NSW Government’s community-led plan to strengthen the relationships between government and community.
- Emerging issues for culturally and racially marginalised women.
- Ensuring tailored educational and vocational support programs for teenage girls in permanent out-of-home care.
- Facilitating pathways for women survivors of domestic violence to tertiary education or vocational training programs, supported by targeted scholarships, mentorship opportunities, and accessible counselling services.
- Women at work; how they are paid, how they are represented; opportunities and terms and conditions.
- Women and technology; access to technology; how the use and/or abuse of technology impacts women.
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Belinda Cashman
Belinda is a Wiradjuri woman and the Director of Aboriginal Health Strategy at the Western Sydney Local Health District.
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Elise Coppins
Elise is a nurse and brings lived experience as a First Nations woman and an advocate for women from regional, rural, and remote NSW.
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Prof Elizabeth Hill
Elizabeth is a Professor at The University of Sydney and Deputy Director of the Gender Equality in Working Life research initiative. She has led research on the future of women, work and care in Australia.
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Janine Farah
Janine is the NSW and ACT Regional Manager at Young Change Agents, a not-for-profit social enterprise supporting youth aged 10 to 21. She has a passion for empowering women and girls to become entrepreneurs.
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A/Prof Jill Duncan
Jill is Deputy Chair of the Disability Council NSW and an Associate Professor at University of Newcastle. With lived experience, she is an advocate for women with disability and passionate about supporting deaf children.
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Julie Perkins
Julie is a senior Gumbaynggirr woman from Northern NSW with considerable experience in the community and justice sector.
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Karen Price
Karen is currently the Deputy CEO of ACON, which is the peak body for LGBTQ+ health in NSW. She has advisory experience and currently sits on the NSW LGBTQ+ health strategy board.
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Lisa Annese
Lisa is the CEO of Diversity Council of Australia and was appointed to the Respect@Work Council in 2022. She has led ground-breaking work on diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
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Mariam Mourad
Mariam is the CEO of Bankstown Women's Health Centre and Fairfield Women's Health Service. She has extensive experience working with a range of communities, including migrant women and women who have experienced DFV.
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Marlene Krasovitsky
With experience across Commonwealth and State Governments, Marlene is focused on raising awareness about ageism, She is a former co-chair of the EveryAGE Counts campaign and has previously worked for the Australian Human Rights Commission.
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Tara Hunter
Tara has had a long career in social work, at a grassroots level through to executive roles. She is the Director Client and Clinical Services at Full Stop Australia, which aims to put an end to sexual, family and domestic violence.
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Violet Roumeliotis AM
Violet Roumeliotis AM is the CEO of Settlement Services International, a community-based organisation supporting vulnerable individuals to overcome inequality. She was previously a member of the NSW Domestic and Family Violence and Sexual Assault Council.
Current ex-officio members
There are also two ex-officio members that sit on the Council:
- Tanya Smyth, Director Women NSW, The Cabinet Office
- Gillian White, Deputy Secretary Social Policy and Intergovernmental Relations, The Cabinet Office
Contacting the Council
For questions and enquiries about the Council, please contact Women NSW by emailing wac@tco.nsw.gov.au.