Many women are feeling frustrated and disengaged with the upcoming federal election. Much of this is due to a perception that their concerns over the cost of living and affordable housing are not being adequately addressed. Surveys have also shown women feel underrepresented in politics and are struggling to speak up about the issues that matter to them.
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00:00Amelia Faulkner moved to Cairns six years ago.
00:07The mother of a four-month-old never thought maternity leave would be a key issue for her in a federal election.
00:14The cost of living rises, rate increases, all that kind of thing.
00:18I'm probably seriously considering that I'll have to go back to work earlier
00:22and it's really defeating the point of those maternity leave entitlements.
00:27She believes women feel apprehensive to speak about politics.
00:31They don't want to put themselves out there to cop backlash.
00:35We're just ignored women of my age, we're invisible.
00:40That's the same sentiment from this renter who says housing is a major issue in her marginal seat of Brisbane.
00:47She encourages her female friends to vote.
00:50We all have a right and a responsibility to make ourselves heard.
00:56And be visible in the community.
01:00Despite gender quotas increasing in some parties, researchers say women continue to feel underrepresented.
01:07It's still white men in blue suits, not women.
01:11So at those upper echelons, which are the most visible people we see in politics.
01:16University research shows Australians who view gender equality as very important fell from almost 85% to 70% in the past three years.
01:26While almost 28% of men believe Australia has gone too far, more than 30% believe Australia has not gone far enough.
01:34Anna Beck lives in Queensland's most marginal seat of Dixon and always has politics on her mind.
01:41Within my friend group we speak freely about policies.
01:44She wants improvement to health and education.
01:47I've always cared about these issues and it's just been more in the spotlight now that we have a political system that is primarily two major parties.
01:56Only a week until these women hit the polling booths.