Page 390 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 10 February 2021
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Mr Parton: What?
MRS KIKKERT: Yes. Presumably many women in the ACT voted for Liberal women MLAs because they share more closely their values, beliefs and philosophies. Would, then, the women’s caucus not be more effective and representative with the inclusion of Liberal women MLAs?
MS BERRY: If I can assist Mrs Kikkert to understand, the women’s caucus is a government policy caucus which contains Labor and Greens—
Members interjecting—
MS BERRY: Madam Speaker, it might not be interesting for some of the men in this room, but it actually is interesting for women, and I want to provide this advice.
MADAM SPEAKER: Ignore the interjections where you can, Minister.
Mr Hanson interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Hanson!
MS BERRY: So now we are clear; that is good. Regarding the second part to the question, about women members of the Liberal Party, of course they can engage with me at any time, and I am always open to conversations with the Canberra Liberals about ideas on how we can support women and girls to be anything they want to be, without any barriers in their place.
I congratulate Madam Speaker for forming a parliamentary women’s group, which is the very place for members of the Assembly across all political parties to engage in conversations on women and improving the lives of women and girls in our city. The caucus is a government members’ caucus for discussing government policy.
MRS KIKKERT: Minister, do you, then, recognise the Greens as part of the government and not the crossbench? If not, why were the Liberal women MLAs not invited?
Mr Braddock: On a point of order, Madam Speaker, what is the relevance of that question to the original question about a women’s caucus?
Members interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Members! There is no point of order; it is within the scope of the original question. Ms Berry, you have the floor.
MS BERRY: I was just trying to remember what the question was about, but I think I have got it. Yes, members of the Greens political party signed and are part of the parliamentary and governing agreement, and three members of the Greens party sit in cabinet. So, yes, they are part of the government.
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