‘Failing to deliver’: Opposition’s push for more women statues

The LNP is calling on the government to follow through with its promise to create more statues honouring women. VOTE IN THE POLL

The LNP wants the first woman elected to state parliament to be recognised with a monument, as it calls on the government to follow through on its push to create more statues honouring women.

State Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman has also revealed she has been in discussions with the Speaker of the parliament to find ways to better recognise women in the parliamentary precinct.

The Palaszczuk government adopted a policy overhaul two years ago to ensure inclusion and diversity were considered when building monuments and memorials on state government land.

It followed a petition, launched by Malia Knox, a young girl calling for better representation of women in public statues, pictures, and plaques in Queensland.

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli said he backed the government’s announcement from two years ago and did not want to see the initiative forgotten.

“Young females need to see extraordinary examples of what they can become,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“We are encouraging Queenslanders to continue to put forward their suggestions of trailblazing Queensland women to honour.

“People like the first female member of the Queensland parliament Irene Longman who fought for equality in her time in office.

“This can’t just be another example of the Palaszczuk government making an announcement and failing to deliver.”

The first female Queensland MP Irene Longman

Ms Fentiman, who is also Minister for Women, acknowledged the state needed more statues and monuments recognising the significant contribution of Queensland women.

She agreed this could include Irene Longman.

“Whilst the LNP have not raised this with me, I recently met with the Speaker to discuss how the parliament might better represent women in the precinct and I would encourage the LNP to do the same,” Ms Fentiman said.

“I’m pleased and also surprised the LNP has a new-found commitment to women’s representation.

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli

The government announced exactly a year ago funding of $35,000 so that a statue of Dr Abigail Allwood – a geologist and astrobiologist – would be installed outside the Brisbane Planetarium.

The government has confirmed it expects the statue to be unveiled later this year.

Since embarking on its push for more statues of women, the government has also given $100,000 to the Blackall RSL so they can build a statue of First World War nurse, Sister Greta Towner.