March4Justice protests: Deputy PM Michael McCormack ambushed by rally organiser Janine Hendry

An awkward encounter took place when the Deputy PM was ambushed and then cut off mid-sentence when he failed to commit to one thing.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack has been ambushed by the organiser of the women’s March4Justice rally during an awkward exchange at Parliament House in Canberra.

Melbourne academic Janine Hendry confronted Mr McCormack in the halls of Parliament House on Monday morning to call for him to act to improve gender equality and injustices in Australian workplaces and institutions.

Mr McCormack has said he won’t attend the rally as he has “meetings all day”, and Prime Minister Scott Morrison asked rally organisers to attend a private meeting inside parliament.

But they have so far rejected the offer and called for Mr Morrison to go outside.

“Would you like to give me a commitment today after we’ve heard the women of Australia that you will take responsibility for starting to enact some of the structural and systemic changes that we need not only in parliament but throughout our major institutions?,” Ms Hendry asked Mr McCormack on Monday morning, surrounded by journalists and cameras.

Women's March4Justice protest organiser Janine Hendry seems unimpressed by Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Mr McCormack said he had “always made those commitments” but Ms Hendry pressed on.

“When you tell me that you’re willing to look at it, I’m going to tell you that I want some action,” she said.

“The women of Australia want some action, we’re drawing a line in the sand right here, right now, you’ll give me that assurance?”

Caught off guard by Ms Hendry’s straight talking, a nervous Mr McCormack stuttered before telling her he was “certain” the government would “absolutely look at it”.

“I can’t give you the assurance that we’ll …,” he said, but he was cut off by Ms Hendry.

“I’m not interested in you looking at it, you’ve been looking at this for years, I’m sorry, it’s time now,” she said.

March4Justice protest organiser Janine Hendry wants action from Mr McCormack. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

“We don’t want any more reports, we want change and we want change now.

“You’ve had that report for 14 months, it’s time.”

Mr McCormack then said he understood and thanked Ms Hendry for raising the issue.

“And the women of Australia will thank you when we get these changes,” she concluded.

There are 44 separate March4Justice happening at cities and towns across the nation on Monday as men and women come together to call for action on deep cultural change in workplaces and the political and criminal justice systems to promote equality, respect, fairness, integrity and a level playing field for all.

The protesters are calling for a range of actions, including independent investigations into cases of gendered violence, the strengthening of the Sex Discrimination Act and mandatory gendered violence and sexual harassment training for MPs and their staff.

They also want all Australian parliaments to have a 50 per cent gender split by 2030.

The main rally in Canberra starts at midday with a short march to Upper Federation Mall.

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