Media Release: What the Women of Western Sydney Want Research Results

Anxious about jobs and the economy, Western Sydney women don’t feel heard by the state government

In a resounding wake-up call to the incumbent government, almost 70% of women polled by a pre-election survey have said their concerns were not being heard by the current state government. 

Commissioned by advocacy group Western Sydney Women ahead of The Future of Women in Western Sydney Summit to be held on International Women’s Day, the survey reveals that western Sydney’s women are fixated on jobs and the economy as cost-of-living pressures affect their ability to pay for household basics like fuel, groceries, and utilities.

Jobs and finances were at the top of the list for the majority of the 1000+ female residents of western Sydney who participated in the survey with 34% of respondents prioritising pay equity and 24% prioritising cost-of-living as their biggest concerns. 42% of women said workplaces can help them achieve their career goals by increasing their salary while 21% said they would most appreciate more flexible work arrangements.

The survey respondents, who were mostly aged between 35-44 (32.14%), 25-34 (21.84%) and 45-54 (20.19%), tended to be employed in either full time work (44.69%), part time work (17.14%), self-employment (9.64%) or study (10.71%). 

“Work is an essential lifeline to women’s economic security,” says Western Sydney Women’s founding director Amanda Rose. “Western Sydney women are hard-working and goal-oriented, and they expect the government to assist them in their journey towards prosperity and independence. Without adequate support for its women, western Sydney won’t reach its full potential as Australia’s up-and-coming economic and technological hub. It’s therefore vital that elected members keep western Sydney women in mind when they look to maximise the wellbeing of the entire state.”

Survey respondents are certainly feeling the pinch with 79% of households struggling with increased food and groceries costs, 77% of households grappling with increased electricity and gas prices, and 70% forking out more for petrol and diesel.

“Over the past 4 months Western Sydney Women have conducted extensive research on what matters most to the women of western Sydney. In light of the upcoming election, this will provide crucial insights into the needs of this extremely important constituent. Issues like childcare, job security and cost of living are core to western Sydney women’s wellbeing and their perspective is critical when it comes to setting the agenda for the future of western Sydney,” says Amanda Rose.

Alarmingly 44% of respondents said they felt they weren’t properly represented by their state member while almost one in three respondents didn’t even know who their state member was. 90% of the women also said they would like to see more women represented in state government. As it stands, close to one in three respondents have indicated they will be voting for a Labor government compared to the 8.39% who will be voting Liberal. Almost 22% remain undecided on who to cast their vote for this election. 

“Western Sydney women have suffered from lack of adequate representation and it’s high time to change that”, says Amanda Rose. “Whoever gets elected must ensure that western Sydney women are given a seat at the table. They need to be included in all key aspects of decision-making and be given the opportunity to lead the way towards their own success. It is only by listening to women and helping them take full advantage of the opportunities present that we can secure a brighter future for all of western Sydney.”

For more info on The Future of Western Sydney Women summit visit westernsydneysummit.com.au