Australian women have long faced uneven access to justice, safety, prosperity and opportunity in Australian society. From the shocking injustices faced by Indigenous and LGBTQIA+ women to the lacking protection and support offered to survivors of domestic violence, women’s issues plague this nation and demand immediate action. 

Currently, in Australia, we see these issues of inequity and disadvantage clear in: 

• The rising 14.2% gender pay gap increased by 0.8% in 2020 (Workplace Gender Equality Agency 2020)
• The appalling rate of domestic violence, with 1 in 6 Australian women experiencing physical or sexual violence by a cohabiting partner from the age of 15 (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2018) This rate of domestic violence is significantly higher for those experiencing financial hardship.
• A compounded rate of economic insecurity amongst Indigenous women who face a markedly higher rate of poverty; a shocking 31% of First-Nations persons experiencing poverty (Davidson et al. 2020) 

In the wake of the COVID-19 crisis and the plethora of economic, social and political inequalities which have been highlighted and heightened by this pandemic, Women for UBI calls for an immediate end to this inequity. The answer is simple: setting a basic standard income is the only means to ensure women of all races, religions and sexualities hold an equal means to be able to live freely and pursue their goals from a level playing field. 

A UBI is a proven method that offers financial security and freedom to women, in countries where a UBI has been implemented, women have experienced dramatic declines in domestic violence, are offered greater opportunities to leave abusive or exploitative relationships and workplaces, participate in entrepreneurial endeavours at higher rates and report stronger levels of health (Pateman 2004; Banerjee et al. 2019; Forget 2011). 

The Australian government must face the reality that the current welfare system was not, and is not made for women, and as such, is not effective in addressing the entrenched injustices that face Australian women. We need a radical change!

To broaden the horizons of millions of Australian women and to fully commit to an equal and safe society, the government should: 

• Support women by enacting a Universal Basic Income 
• Ensure that this payment is accessible and paid to the individual
• Work with women’s groups to understand the need for greater investment in women to maximise the effectiveness of this payment

Add your name to this petition to pledge your support for a safe and equitable Australia and call on the Coalition government to commit to a Universal Basic Income: