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Thousands of women will take to the streets on Monday to protest the response to sexual assault allegations in federal politics.
Protests will take place in capital cities from 12pm on Monday to sync up with the women marching on parliament house in Canberra.
Dr Kate Ahmad and Dr Anita Hutchison will lead the protest to deliver a petition – signed by more than 80,000 people – demanding an inquiry into the conduct of attorney general Christian Porter.
Mr Porter was accused of sexually assaulting a woman when the pair were teenagers after a debating competition in 1988. The accuser has since died by suicide.
Protests will take place in capital cities from 12pm on Monday to sync up with the women marching on parliament house in Canberra
Mr Porter strenuously denied the allegations and Prime Minister Scott Morrison issued a subsequent statement which said that he believed his cabinet minister and would not be calling for an official inquiry.
Dr Ahmad said the treatment of women in politics has been ‘traumatising’.
Weeks earlier, political staffer Brittany Higgins accused a former colleague of raping her in the office while she worked under defense minister Linda Reynolds.
Three other women subsequently came forward to make allegations against the same man, who was let go from his job over an alleged security breach on the night Ms Higgins alleges she was sexually assaulted.
‘It has been an incredibly traumatising few weeks for women in Australia,’ Dr Ahmad said.
Attorney general Christian Porter was forced to defend himself against a historic rape allegation which was made public
‘We’ve watched in despondency as Prime Minister Morrison minimised the experience of Brittany Higgins and then defended Attorney-General Christian Porter against an [alleged] serious crime which has not been investigated.
‘Now, we call on Prime Minister Morrison to set up an independent inquiry to urgently investigate the allegations of rape against Christian Porter, so the people of Australia can be confident in his fitness to serve as the first law officer of the land.’
Organisers for the protest say they hope to address ‘sexism, misogyny, dangerous workplace cultures and lack of equality in politics and the community at large’.
There is also a nationwide push for more thorough sex education in schools after a damning petition highlighted an epidemic of sexual abuse among teenagers.
Chanel Contos, the 22-year-old former private schoolgirl spearheading the petition, is urging schools to have a more holistic curriculum including enthusiastic consent, rape culture and sexual coercion.
Former political staffer Brittany Higgins (left) claimed she was raped by a fellow staffer in defence minister Linda Reynolds’ office in 2019. Chanel Contos (right) is demanding better sex education in schools
Australian Capital Territory
The primary protest will be held in the Australian Capital Territory as up to 3,000 women plan on descending on the steps of Parliament House.
Dr Ahmad and Dr Hutchison will present the petition to parliament at the conclusion of the protest.
Organisers encouraged women and allies who couldn’t make it to Canberra to plan their own marches in other parts of the nation in solidarity with the women who will be at the official event on Monday.
There are no limits to the size of outdoor gatherings in Canberra, but an exemption has been granted in accordance to Covid-safe guidelines given the protest is expected to attract more than 1,000 people.
New South Wales
Marches are scheduled to take place in several places across New South Wales, including Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle and Byron Bay.
The primary march will depart from Sydney’s Town Hall Station at 12pm.
More than 3,600 people have either expressed an interest or confirmed they will be attending.
No more than 50 people are permitted to gather in an outdoor setting under the state’s Covid rules, but 500 people are allowed to attend registered protests.
Australia is in the midst of its very own #MeToo movement as women reveal shocking details of sexual abuse and make allegations against politicians
Victoria
Three protests will take place in Victoria on Monday, including in Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula and Wodonga.
Melbourne is shaping up to be the biggest of the three, with up to 7,000 people already expressing their interest.
Victorian Police have urged women and their allies not to defy health directives while protesting.
At present, 100 people are allowed to gather in an outdoor space under Covid restrictions. Two or more groups of 100 people ‘cannot meet outdoors for a common purpose’ according to regulations.
‘Individuals have the right to lawfully attend events and protest, however we ask that people do so peacefully and respectfully without impacting on the rest of the community,’ a Victoria Police spokeswoman said.
‘There will be a highly visible police presence in the area to maintain public safety, respond to any incidents and to prevent breaches of the Chief Health Officer directions.’
Melbourne is shaping up to be the biggest of the three Victorian protests, with up to 7,000 people already expressing their interest
Queensland
An estimated 3,000 women have expressed interest in marching from King George Square in Brisbane on Monday.
Organisers said it would be a ‘peaceful protest’ and encourage families with children, people with disabilities and ‘basically anybody’ to join in.
Men are welcome but as allies – basically, this is not your day and we don’t want to hear ‘Not all Men’,’ the statement read.
There will be separate, smaller marches in Townsville, Toowoomba and Bundaberg.
Dr Kate Ahmad and Dr Anita Hutchison will lead the protest to deliver a petition – signed by more than 80,000 people – demanding an inquiry into the conduct of attorney general Christian Porter
South Australia
South Australia’s March 4 Justice will take place at 12.30pm local time on Monday in Adelaide’s Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga.
Some 2,800 people have responded or expressed interest in attending the event according to the official Facebook page.
A police spokeswoman said officers will attend the protest on Monday to ensure the day runs smoothly.
There must be one person per two square metres to comply with Covid social distancing requirements, but there are no hard and fast gathering limits.
Western Australia
Perth’s official march was brought forward a day and will be held at 11am local time on Sunday instead of Monday.
Organisers say they have a Covid-safe plan in place for the event, and will also host performers and speakers on the day.
Protesters will march from Forrest Place and walk all the way to the Supreme Court Gardens.
West Australian Police said they are aware of planned protests going ahead.
Tasmania
There will be a protest in Hobart for Tasmanian’s wanting to support the delivery of the petition to Canberra’s parliament house.
The protest will take place on Parliament Lawns in Hobart on Monday.
To find a march near you, visit the March4Justice Facebook page.
Dr Kate Ahmad and Dr Anita Hutchison will lead the protest to deliver a petition – signed by more than 80,000 people – demanding an inquiry into the conduct of attorney general Christian Porter
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