Most Submissions Swing In Favour Of Ministry (Press, 14 February 1985)

On 14 February 1985, a report highlighted the responses to submissions regarding the establishment of the Ministry of Women's Affairs in New Zealand. Nearly 100 submissions were received, with a majority supporting the Ministry, while those opposed primarily came from individuals and organisations with Christian affiliations. Notably, the Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child expressed concerns that the Ministry could promote a "pro-choice" stance on abortion. Patricia Barlett, from the Society for the Promotion of Community Standards, voiced reservations about perceived biases in Labour's policies favouring solo parents and working women, arguing that such policies neglect the traditional family structure and exacerbate youth unemployment. Other groups opposing the Ministry included Kiwi Forum Incorporated, which viewed the focus on women as potentially anti-family, and various Christian organisations, along with individuals who believed existing legislation, like the Human Rights Act and the Equal Pay Act, already provided adequate protections for women. Some submissions claimed inadequate preparation time due to the disruptions from the Christmas break, as the submission period was from 7 December to 31 January. In contrast, support for the Ministry came from various groups, including the Public Service Association, the National Council of Women, and the Maori Women's Welfare League, among others. Supporters argued that New Zealand was not an egalitarian society and listed several initiatives for the Ministry to pursue, such as extending affirmative action programs in universities, enhancing child care funding and support, promoting women in non-traditional jobs, and legally recognising sexual harassment. Furthermore, the Federation of Labour proposed that the Ministry focus on the inequities faced by women in the workplace, particularly for low-paid workers, as women constituted a significant portion of low-paid employees. They highlighted the wage disparity, stating that women earned, on average, only 76 percent of what men earned, even when working full-time. The Parliamentary select committee reviewing the proposed legislation to establish the Ministry, which encompasses amendments to the State Services Act, had met for three days and scheduled another meeting for the following Tuesday to conclude deliberations on the remaining submissions.

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