By Danielle Kutchel
Local politicians joined thousands of women marching through the Melbourne CBD for the March4Justice to support victims of sexual harrassment, violence and assault.
Held on Monday 15 March, the event was organised independently in response to numerous recent allegations of sexual assault – especially in Federal Parliament – and was one of a number of similar protests held around the country.
In a picture shared on social media by Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams, parliamentarians including Bass MP Jordan Crugnale, Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards, Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas and Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan can be seen joining the crowd.
Ms Williams, who is Minister for Prevention of Family Violence and Minister for Women, said she had known the event would be “significant”.
“This is an issue that really resonated with people and I think that’s perhaps what the Prime Minister and Federal Government misread the room on,” she said.
“I don’t think they realised the reason why this resonated with people is because everyone has a story to tell and most of them are tear-soaked.
“The turnout and activity online even among those who couldn’t attend, indicate that this is a watershed moment.”
She said the marchers carried with them “decades of frustration at the lack of change”.
“I’m hoping by having this discussion that’s out in the open about these issues, that we have them taken more seriously. I genuinely do believe this wont blow over.”
Bass MP Jordan Crugnale said she marched because “all women deserve better”.
“It’s really infuriating that in 2021 we still have to march, to fight to have our voices, our stories, our experiences heard. Change needs to happen,” she said.
“We marched to bring to attention that gender bias that still exists, that gendered violence still exists and that we have a long way to go.
“Stories of racism, gender bias, stories of systemic challenges, stories of adversity, stories of hope, resilience and courage and support. This is real and won’t go away.”
Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas also said the event was decades in the making.
“The March4Justice builds on decades of women’s struggle for acceptance, respect and equality. I believe that the national March4Justice was a defining step to ensure community change – so that all women can feel safe in their streets, workplaces and homes.”
“I proudly joined thousands of women across the country who stood up to have their voices heard and acknowledged. Women should feel safe no matter where they are but especially in their workplace. If the structures and processes that are currently in place don’t facilitate fairness for women then they should change,” he said.
Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan joined his colleagues in saying “enough is enough”.
“It’s clear from the voices and lived experience of so many women in our community that a public discussion about sexual assault and power imbalance is long overdue. That’s why the march was so important,” he said.
“Our community is ready for this discussion and the message is clear – enough is enough.”
The March4Justice had four major demands:
1. A full police investigation of rape and sexual assault allegations, and misconduct by Members of Parliament and staff
2. An independent wide-reaching review commissioned by the High Court of gendered violence in Australia’s Parliaments including Federal Parliament
3. Australia wide strategies for deep cultural change in workplaces, and the political and criminal justice systems, focused on promoting equality, respect, fairness, integrity and a level playing field for all
4. A Federal ICAC – Independent Commission Against Corruption
