A new parliamentary inquiry will review how Australia can better engage with our Pacific neighbours to enhance opportunities for women and girls.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 12 February 2020

A new parliamentary inquiry will review how Australia can better engage with our Pacific neighbours to enhance opportunities for women and girls. The inquiry, to be run by the Human Rights Sub-Committee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, will engage with key stakeholders, including civil society groups, to better inform the approaches Australia takes to addressing the needs and enhancing the opportunities for women and girls in the Pacific. Committee Chair Senator the Hon David Fawcett says the inquiry reflects the vital importance of working with our Pacific neighbours and building on already successful initiatives that help enable women and girls to reach their full potential. The Hon Kevin Andrews MP, Chair of the Human Rights Sub-Committee, says the inquiry will also identify opportunities for increased engagement specifically with Australia’s Pacific Step-up initiatives to improve the human rights for women and girls. ‘Australia is committed to working with our Pacific neighbours to address domestic, family and sexual violence and human rights issues such as gender equality,’ Mr Andrews said. The inquiry follows a 2015 inquiry by the Sub-Committee on a similar issue. Submissions to the inquiry are now being called for, and are due by 18 May 2020. Media inquiries The Hon Kevin Andrews MP 03 9848 9900 02 6277 4023 Contact: Ms Cristy Elliot cristy.elliott@aph.gov.au For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2313 jscfadt@aph.gov.au