National Council of Women, Queensland President’s Dinner

I acknowledge the Member for Aspley, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. Kaye and I are delighted once again to join the members and guests of the National Council of Women of Queensland for this marvellous annual dinner.

I also acknowledge the Traditional custodians of these lands, with an expression of respect for their Elders, past, present, and emerging.

Frank, Fearless and Feminine is not only a memorable, alliterative title for this evening’s event, it’s a declaration — a bold call to action.

And who better to issue that call than the indefatigable feminist scholar and author, Dr Dale Spender. It didn’t escape our notice that even the print on the invitation featured her well-known signature colour!

We are looking forward immensely to hearing Dr Spender speak later this evening, but first, as Patron and Governor, I congratulate the Council on the achievements of the past year.

NCWQ has continued its determined campaign for equality, working with more than fifty affiliate organisations and using its website and social media to advocate for parity.

It has also, this year, supported no fewer than twenty-six Queensland women through educational bursaries.

That is a very impressive contribution.

Finally, I commend and thank the Council and its affiliates for their ongoing efforts on behalf of homeless women, particularly ageing and retired women.

Government statistics tell us that almost twenty thousand Queenslanders were homeless on the night of the twenty-eleven census — and forty-three per cent of them were women.

For the health and safety of every one of those women, projects like ‘Share the Dignity’ are a marvellous, practical initiative and I thank everyone who has supported the campaign through in-kind donations tonight.

I wish you all well for your ongoing work and thank you, on behalf of all Queenslanders, for everything you do for the women of our State.