Statement from the Panel

Today, the Expert Panel conducting the Religious Freedom Review provided its Report on freedom of religion in Australia.

This Report is the culmination of a nationwide consultation process, including a public submission process and face-to-face meetings in every State and Territory.

The Report reflects the input that the Panel received throughout the life of this process, research undertaken and the individual expertise of the Panel members. The Panel would like to thank the thousands of Australians who took the opportunity to have their say on this important issue.

Opal – Australia’s National Gemstone Infographic

Australian Government | Opal – Australia’s National Gemstone

  • Australia’s Opal fields are larger than all the Opal fields in the rest of the world combined.
  • Types of Opals found in Australia
    • Precious Opal displays play-of-colour
    • Common Opal does not exhibit a play-of-colour (aka Potch Opal by Australian Miners).
  • On 23 July 1993, the Governor-General, the Hon Bill Hayden AC, proclaimed the opal as Australia’s national gemstone.
  • In Aboriginal dreamtime stories, the Opal was created when the colours of the rainb

Women's Economic Equality Taskforce

The Women's Economic Equality Taskforce (the taskforce) concluded after delivering on an election commitment to provide advice to government on the issues facing women in the Australian economy.

Taskforce report

The taskforce’s advice to government was provided through their report Women's Economic Equality: A 10-year plan to unleash the full capacity and contribution of women to the Australian economy. This was released by the Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher on Monday 23 October 2023.

Taskforce

The taskforce was an independent group of eminent women selected for their wide-ranging skills and lived experiences. 

The priority contributions of the taskforce centred on:

Working for Women: A Strategy for Gender Equality

Working for Women: A Strategy for Gender Equality (Working for Women) 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.

Released on 7 March 2024, Working for Women sets out a path to make progress towards this vision over 10 years (2024–2034), with a focus on 5 priority areas.

For more information, or to download a copy of Working for Women, visit Working for Women: A Strategy for Gender Equality

Subscribe to Subscribe to