Women marched forward, Morrison marched back

This is the fifth in a five-part series where we recap the Morrison government’s decisions for working women and their alarming consequences.

Can you believe March4Justice was almost a year ago now? It’s been an excruciatingly long twelve months under the Morrison Government.  

A wave of sexual assault allegations had erupted upon the very institution that should have been acting to prevent such incidents in the first place: Australian parliament.  

Tens of thousands of people burst onto the streets last March in response, frustrated and angry with the Morrison Government’s complacency and apparent apathy towards the incidents that had reportedly occurred under their own roof.  

More than 40 protests across the country rallied against the sexual abuse and harassment of women within and beyond the workplace.   

Former Liberal political staffer Brittany Higgins bravely spoke to the thousands gathered in front of Parliament House.   

Australian of the Year Grace Tame gave a powerful address in her home city, Hobart.  

Kids skipped school, parents ditched work, and grandparents joined the crowd, proud to be part of this important moment in Australian history.  

MPs from across all parties – including the Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese – found time in their day to go along and support the movement.  

But the Prime Minister? Nowhere to be seen. Why? Because he was “too busy”. As was the Liberal minister for women Marise Payne.  

And after the protesters had gone home, Morrison believed it entirely appropriate to remark that the rallies had not been “met with bullets”.  

Given the state violence his government has perpetuated against Indigenous women, the statement not only ignored the cries of women but also denied their deaths.   

Women deserve better. Australia deserves better.  

Family and domestic violence remains a national crisis and women have the right to feel safe and protected at work.   

Women still lack paid leave that provides those who need it the time, support and job security she needs to escape and recover from an abusive relationship.  

The Federal Government is yet to support this leave. They must give all workers access to paid family and domestic violence leave.