Premier promises gender equality in public statues after girl’s fight

There are as few as three statues of women in Brisbane. Now, the Premier has promised to take action after a schoolgirl’s campaign. VOTE IN THE POLL

Malia Knox has persuaded Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to change the rules so diversity is taken into account when public statues are commissioned.

A one-year campaign for more statues of women, led by Auchenflower schoolgirl Malia Knox, has paid off big time with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk changing the rules on public art.

Ms Palaszczuk last night tweeted that from now on the State Government would ensure it took diversity into account when commissioning statues and other artworks.

“We’ve amended Qld’s framework for monuments to make sure diversity is considered when commissioning new statues, pictures or plaques,’’ Ms Palaszczuk tweeted on Wednesday night.

“It will mean more women are represented.’’

Other jurisdictions, such San Francisco, mandate 50:50 gender representation on statues, pictures and plaques in public.

Malia began her one-girl campaign in April last year after a walk through the Sherwood Arboretum in Brisbane’s inner west.

Malia, who was eight at the time, counted 72 plaques dedicated to prominent people in an avenue of trees. Only two were of women.

“At the Botanic Gardens there is zero representation of women. That’s when Malia really noticed it and decided to do something,’’ her proud Mum, Kelley Knox, said.

Malia set up a Facebook lobby group, Female Faces For Public Places, launched a petition which attracted nearly 800 signatures, met councillors and her state Greens MP Michael Berkman, and spoke to Girl Guides and other community groups.

Federal LNP MP for her area, Julian Simmonds, presented her with a Young Community Leader award and former Minister for Women, Di Farmer, read out a letter from Malia in State Parliament.

“She’s also been invited to speak tonight (Thursday March 11) at State Parliament as part of Queensland Women’s Week,’’ Ms Knox said.

Malia and her mother Kelley Knox.

Mr Berkman, who sponsored Malia’s petition, said he applauded the premier’s action.

“Malia has identified a problem, she’s called it out, and actually achieved a concrete step towards gender equality in Queensland,’’ he said.

“It’s a privilege to support astute, conscious and passionate kids in my electorate like her.”

He said in a letter in December to current Minister for Women, Shannon Fentiman, that there were only a handful of statues depicting real women (excluding royals or fictional and nameless characters) in Brisbane.

“This reflects a broader problem across the country, where women represent as few as 3 per cent of statues.

“There are more statues of animals than women.

“This is not because women in Queensland and Australia have not done many remarkable things.’’

Laura Geitz at the unveiling of her statue at the Qld State Netball Centre in 2019. It is one of few statues of prominent women in Brisbane. Picture: Annette Dew

Malia has suggested Queensland women such as Jessica Watson and Cathy Freeman should be recognised with statues.

“We know that patriarchal structures and gender-based discrimination have historically facilitated, emphasised and rewarded the achievements of men over women,’’ Mr Berkman said in his letter.

“Structural, ground-up change to address this is essential, but representation can also play an important part, by showing young people that women can be important achievers.

“We could simply wait and see if society — and the gender balance on our public plaques, statues and pictures — eventually evens itself out.

“Or, we could take action at a legislative level to tip the scales and ensure that shift.’’