Equality

1. Equitable Opportunities

A strong economy values and respects a diversity of skills, talents and experience. We must embrace diversity, so our communities and business thrive.

Refreshing policy settings to reform gender equality and increase diversity in the workplace. We need to continue to prioritise improving workplace gender equality and diversity to generate the productivity our economy requires. Broader social reforms need to be considered that would provide greater security for women and children, reducing the number of older women falling into homelessness.

Zali’s Record

  • Implementation of the Respect@Work recommendation securing the safety of Australian workplaces.

  • Held the government to account on the progress for victims of domestic and family violence.

  • Extended single parent support payments cut-off to 14 years old to assist single parents on income support payments.

  • Bringing down the cost of childcare through advocating for policies that support working families.

  • Served on the Joint Select Committee for Australia's Family Law System Reform from 2019 to 2022.

Zali’s Commitment to You

  • Equitable Parental Leave: Remove gender bias by incentivising uptake of parental leave by men.

  • Equitable Superannuation: Amend superannuation legislation to remove discrimination during parental leave.

  • Better Access to Childcare: Increase accessibility of childcare centres in ‘childcare deserts’.

Parliamentary Action

  • Importance of widespread availability of childcare (Fed 2025): Zali spoke about assisting young families juggling the commitments of working while parenting. (Watch Here)

  • Importance on gender equality in the workplace (Nov 2024): Zali spoke about the importance of organisation’s setting gender equality targets. (Watch Here)

Media Coverage

2. Preserve our Social Cohesion

Equal opportunity for all, inclusion and support for those in need.

Zali’s Record

  • Supported Stronger Anti-Discrimination Laws: Championed reforms to protect individuals from discrimination based on gender, race, religion, or disability.
  • Advocated for Multicultural Community Support: Secured increased funding for social cohesion programs that celebrate diversity.
  • Pushed for Stronger Hate Speech Protections: Called for stricter regulations to combat online hate speech and misinformation.
  • Supported LGBTQ+ Rights: Advocated for legal protections and workplace rights.

Recent Local Engagement

Zali’s Commitment to You

  • Stronger Laws Against Hate Speech and Discrimination: Ensuring national consistency in anti-discrimination protections.
  • Greater Support for Community-Led Programs: Pushing for investment in grassroots initiatives that promote inclusion.
  • Fairer Immigration and Citizenship Pathways: Ensure a fair and efficient refugee policy to safeguard those in most need.
  • Protection of Basic Rights: Strengthen protections for LGBTIQ+, the rights of children and uphold human rights.

Parliamentary Action

  • Inclusion on the Northern Beaches (Watch here)
  • The importance of maintaining social cohesion in Australia (Watch here)
  • Inclusion of LGBTIQA+ Australians in 2026 census (August 2024) (Read here)
  • Multicultural Framework (August 2024) urging government to take the opportunity to ensure that everybody feels safe and welcome in Australia. (Watch here)
  • Age discrimination in the workplace: Zali highlighted issues facing older Australians to re-enter the workplace, especially after taking time off work due to health or caring commitments, despite possessing all the experience and skills necessary. (Watch here)

Media Coverage