Australian Women Don’t Need Scott Morrison’s Empty Rhetoric — They Need Economic Justice

Scott Morrison has responded to scandals over misogyny and sexual assault with token gestures and hollow words that won’t get near the root of the problem. In order to challenge sexism, we have to empower working-class women through economic justice and redistributive policies.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison Attends International Womens Day Breakfast As Parliamentary Sitting Continues

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison during the International Women’s Day Parliamentary Breakfast on February 25, 2021, in Canberra, Australia. (Sam Mooy / Getty Images)


Australia’s conservative government is mired in sexual abuse scandals. In March, an allegation of a historic sexual assault committed by former attorney general Christian Porter came to light. Then there were revelations about an alleged rape that took place inside Parliament House, as well as a video of a staffer masturbating on a female MP’s desk. These and other scandals have exposed a deeply ingrained sexist culture in Australia’s parliament.

The wave of scandals has sparked a new feminist movement. In March, tens of thousands of women attended more than forty marches throughout the country demanding action.

In response, PM Scott Morrison has attempted to regain the initiative. To address the “woman problem,” he has announced four inquiries into the Liberal and National parties, staff conduct in federal parliament, and his own office. He has reshuffled his cabinet, demoting Porter and Linda Reynolds, who grossly mishandled the allegation of rape inside Parliament House made by her then staffer Brittany Higgins.

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