On 4-6 March 2024, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hosted leaders of the Lao PDR, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Timor-Leste in Melbourne at the 2024 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit.

The Summit, themed ‘A Partnership for the Future’, built on Australia’s 50 year history of cooperation and partnership between Australia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher, has released the second Status of Women Report card, and the first in support of Working for Women: A Strategy for Gender Equality released on Thursday 7 March 2024. 

Released annually on International Women’s Day, the Report Card includes the most recent available data on the social and economic equality issues facing women and girls in Australia.

The most recent available data shows where women are making gains, including:

The Australian Government’s Working for Women: A Strategy for Gender Equality was launched by the Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher on 7 March 2024.

This Strategy outlines the Australian Government's vision for gender equality – an Australia where people are safe, treated with respect, have choices, and have access to resources and equal outcomes no matter their gender.

It sets out a path to make progress towards this vision over the next 10 years, with a focus on five priority areas:

The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has transferred all 2003 Cabinet files to the National Archives of Australia.

Secretary Glyn Davis wrote to the Director-General of the National Archives, Simon Froude confirming the transfer on 21 February 2024.

The department continues to work closely with the National Archives to implement all recommendations, which includes the transfer of 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 records by April 2024.

Let me acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong/Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin nation as traditional custodians of these unceded lands and recognise other Aboriginal people with connection to Narrm and the region. We are privileged to be on your country, to benefit from the continuing culture and care you bring to this community.

My gratitude to Dr Marie-Louise Ayres, Director-General of the National Library of Australia, and her colleagues for the invitation to deliver this lecture, first in Canberra and now in Melbourne.