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Gender equality in government: how does Australia compare? Gender equality in government: how does Australia compare?
(1 day later)
The projected new composition of the House of Representatives will place Australia 42nd in the world for the number of women in the lower house of parliament, a marginal improvement on the previous ranking of 45th.The projected new composition of the House of Representatives will place Australia 42nd in the world for the number of women in the lower house of parliament, a marginal improvement on the previous ranking of 45th.
Taking the candidates that are currently leading the vote count for all contested seats in the election, women will hold 39 of the 150 seats in the House of Representatives, meaning female politicians will make up 26% of the lower house membership overall.Taking the candidates that are currently leading the vote count for all contested seats in the election, women will hold 39 of the 150 seats in the House of Representatives, meaning female politicians will make up 26% of the lower house membership overall.
In comparison, the previous parliament's female members represented 24.6% of the total.In comparison, the previous parliament's female members represented 24.6% of the total.
For a comparison of how Australia ranks in the world, the Inter-Parliamentary Union compiled the percentage of women in the lower (or single) house of parliament for 190 countries in February, 2013.For a comparison of how Australia ranks in the world, the Inter-Parliamentary Union compiled the percentage of women in the lower (or single) house of parliament for 190 countries in February, 2013.
First on the list is Rwanda, with 56.3%, and the only country that has more women than men in the government. By law, 30% of the seats in the Rwandan government must go to women, and they are about to go to the polls again.First on the list is Rwanda, with 56.3%, and the only country that has more women than men in the government. By law, 30% of the seats in the Rwandan government must go to women, and they are about to go to the polls again.
The UK was ranked equal 57th, and the US 77th.The UK was ranked equal 57th, and the US 77th.
There are, however, still a number of seats in contention following the Australian election which could change the gender balance: Lingiari, where Warren Snowdon is slightly ahead of Tina MacFarlane; McEwen, where Rob Mitchell is slightly ahead of Donna Petrovich; and Parramatta, where Julie Owens is ahead of Martin Zaiter.There are, however, still a number of seats in contention following the Australian election which could change the gender balance: Lingiari, where Warren Snowdon is slightly ahead of Tina MacFarlane; McEwen, where Rob Mitchell is slightly ahead of Donna Petrovich; and Parramatta, where Julie Owens is ahead of Martin Zaiter.
The major political parties have also improved slightly, with Labor's percentage of women in the House of Representatives increasing from 31.9% to 36.4%. The Coalition's total is lower, and they've had a much smaller increase, going from 19.2% to 20%.The major political parties have also improved slightly, with Labor's percentage of women in the House of Representatives increasing from 31.9% to 36.4%. The Coalition's total is lower, and they've had a much smaller increase, going from 19.2% to 20%.
Tony Abbott's cabinet has only one female politician, Julie Bishop, although there are four in the outer ministry. In comparison, Kevin Rudd's final cabinet had six women in the cabinet, and five in the outer ministry.Tony Abbott's cabinet has only one female politician, Julie Bishop, although there are four in the outer ministry. In comparison, Kevin Rudd's final cabinet had six women in the cabinet, and five in the outer ministry.
Percentage of women in the lower (or single) house of parliament, top 50 countriesPercentage of women in the lower (or single) house of parliament, top 50 countries
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