Candidates voice views on gender equality

Almost 200 people tuned in to an online election candidates' forum last week that put the spotlight on gender equality for women in Gippsland.

Hosted by Gippsland Women's Health and Women in Gippsland, the forum invited federal election candidates in Monash and Gippsland electorates to publicly address their commitment and personal action to improving women's well being and achieving gender equality.

Participating candidates included Mat Morgan (Greens), Russell Broadbent (Liberal), Deb Leonard (independent) and Jessica O'Donnell (ALP) for Monash; and, Darren Chester (Nationals), Gregory Forster (United Australia Party), Marjorie Thorpe (Greens) and Jannette Langley (ALP) for Gippsland.

Each candidate was given two minutes to present their position on gender equality.

GWH chief executive officer Kate Graham introduced the forum, describing family violence in Gippsland as "shocking and catastrophic."

She called on the candidates to lead "real and sustainable changes" in the treatment of women.

The Greens Mat Morgan said The Greens gender equality and violence were "big and bold."

He said the party's commitment to providing a roof over everyone's head would help women and children in need of housing.

"This is an issue that deserves more than an hour of our focus," he said.

Sitting member Russell Broadbent said he was stunned at the latest family violence figures in Gippsland.

He said the issue was not new to him and he had worked hard every time the issue had been raised with him.

"My main job has been to listen to what women say. It won't be men who fix the problem, it will be women," he said.

Independent Deb Leonard said as a lawyer she had worked in hundreds and hundreds of family violence matters for both perpetrators and victims.

"It's an inter-generational problem and we have to break the cycle.

"We have to break the cycle of silence and stand up for the brave women like Britney Higgins and Grace Tame," she said.

ALP candidate Jessica O'Donnell said she was a young woman who was hoping to step into a role of decision making and importance.

She said the ALP had an ambitious plan, part of which was a women's economic security taskforce that would give more women the opportunity to have their say and influence decision making.

She said gender equality and closing the pay gap would result in closing the gap on violence.