SA Unions are escalating pressure on the South Australian Government for its four-year failure to deliver a promised Gender Equality Bill, launching a public campaign to make the government keep it’s promise.
It’s the final sitting week of the current term of Parliament, unions say the government has broken a core election promise and wasted a vital opportunity to tackle South Australia’s persistent gender pay gap.
SA Unions is activating a new campaign website, equalpay.org.au, featuring an easy-to-use tool for the public to email Minister for Women, Katrine Hildyard, demanding the legislation be tabled now.
The Gender Equality Bill was repeatedly promised as a priority, with Labor committing to it while in opposition, as well as it appearing in documents like the 2024/25 State Budget and the Women’s Equality Blueprint. Nearly a year ago, the Government’s own Gender Pay Gap Taskforce delivered its final report, explicitly urging the Bill be enacted.
SA Unions argue that this delay isn’t just a broken promise, it’s a systemic failure. The legislation is needed to mandate systemic change, establish accountability, and finally close the pay gap that compromises our state’s prosperity and productivity.
“This is deeply disappointing. The government has dragged its heels for over four years on a promise they themselves called a priority.”
“We are now in the last sitting week of the term. The time for excuses is over.”
“The Victorian Gender Equality Act shows us what is possible. We need a meaningful Bill with teeth and resources to create real, structural change.”
“SA has lost the chance to lead, we can’t wait around to be last”
“South Australian women have waited long enough for equal pay. We can’t afford another year of inaction.”
“SA Unions are urging all South Australians to use equalpay.org.au to send a clear message to Minister Katrine Hildyard, we need strong legislation, not lip service.”
“The government knows what to do; they’ve been told by their own experts. Deliver the bill now.”
A Gender Equality Act is a key strategy to tackle the underlying issues that cause the Gender Pay Gap, including gender discrimination, job segregation, and the unequal distribution of care and family responsibilities.
The proposed South Australian Act would set a strong, positive standard in covering State Public Sector Employment, Local Government, and Universities. It would require these entities to:
To make the Act meaningful, SA Unions insists it must be supported by an Independent Commissioner to ensure compliance, and include legal standing for it to be enforceable.
