NT election: Women prioritise concrete economic policies to help them thrive

Wooing female voters will require concrete policies on how to unleash their economic potential, as Territory business leaders call for change

WOOING female voters will require concrete policies on how to unleash their economic potential, as Territory business leaders call for change.

Australian Federation of Business and Professional Women policy director Angela Tomazos said the pressure was on for major and minor parties to prove how their policies could help women enter, remain and thrive in the workplace.

“We’re 50 per cent of the population, definitely we’re a swing voter (force),” Darwin resident Ms Tomazos said.

Ms Tomazos said a key to women’s success was universal early childcare education.

She said the Grattan Institute found a $5 billion increase to the childcare subsidy would generate $11 billion growth in Australia’s gross domestic product.

Jape Furnishings Superstore director Connie Jape with her daughter Samantha Lung. Picture: Supplied.

Jape Furnishing Superstore director Connie Jape said easing pressures at home would let women excel in their workplaces.

The 57-year-old business woman said in her “younger years” childcare was a big issue, but now her children were adults she was focusing on looking after her elderly parents.

Ms Jape said whether it was babies or grandparents, often women took up mantle of the caring responsibilities.

“It depends on what side of the coming you are on – children or the elderly,” Ms Jape said.

“We have to make sure the home gets taken care of, and then these also the business in general.”

Alongside child and elderly care, Ms Jape said her election choice would be influenced by the ongoing Covid-response, visa and immigration issues and worker shortages.