By Jess Baker
A group of protestors dressed in black gathered outside the Warwick office of Deputy Nationals Leader and local member David Littleproud this morning, demanding action in the wake of alleged sexual abuse in Australia’s parliament.
Warwick local and organiser Sue Hamlet said she has been “horrified” by the government’s handling of recent rape allegations and hopes the protest will aid women’s nationwide fight for social justice.
“We might live in the most conservative electorate in Australia but we care about this,” said Sue.
“Something’s got to change and it’s got to change from the top.”
Sue said the “mini gathering” was inspired by the 40 Women’s March 4 Justice rallies taking place across the country today demanding politicians “address and put an end to the issues of sexism, misogyny, patriarchy, corruption, dangerous workplace cultures and lack of equality in politics and the community at large”.
“We want transparency and accountability, we want inquiries into all cases of sexual assault, and we want implementation of the 55 recommendations (in the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Respect@Work report of the National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces 2020),” said Sue.
“We want David (Littleproud) to make us proud and stand up for justice.”
The Women’s March 4 Justice is delivering a petition to Parliament demanding action on gendered violence, which can be signed digitally at march4justice.nationbuilder.com/.
Updates on this story will be released as they are available and in this week’s Warwick & Stanthorpe Today papers.
