The 2025 Federal Election is upon us and gender equality must remain a key priority for our parliamentary leaders. AGEC has set its key priorities based on our gender equality manifesto and the evidence base we know will drive change. Your advocacy through your network and solidarity with each other will influence political parties and candidates, by demanding commitment to a gender-equal Australia. 

Women make up just over half of Australia’s population. Yet we continue to face significant safety issues in our homes, workplaces and communities, barriers to accessing employment and increased income insecurity throughout our lives.

At home, 27% of women have faced violence from an intimate partner or family member, with 1.6 million women (16%) enduring economic abuse from a partner they live with.

Women struggling financially are far more likely to suffer abuse at the hands of men.

Outcomes are worse for women facing economic insecurity who also have restrictive long-term health conditions, recent pregnancies, children, or identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. Women who have lost their jobs, taken pay cuts, or reduced their working hours are significantly more likely to experience physical and sexual violence from a current or recent partner.

Yet we are seeing a global rollback of essential legal protections and commitments to ensure women’s safety and equality.

“In the 2025 Federal Election, the Australian Gender Equality Council calls upon all parties to commit to priority actions to address women’s safety and respect at work, at home, and in the community, to commit to addressing the root causes of violence; women’s inequality, and the attitudes and behaviours which fuel disrespect and violence.”

Coral Ross AM, Chair Australian Gender Equality Council

Candidate Pledge Commitments

The following candidates in the 2025 Federal Election have taken the AGEC Gender Equality Pledge.

By taking the Pledge these candidates, if elected to government, have committed to actioning the following Key Priorities set by AGEC and our members

• Safety and Respect
• Economic Security
• Workforce Participation
• Education and Cultural Change
• Health and Wellbeing

Read more below about the AGEC’s Key Priorities and the Pledge.

Labor

Naomi Oakley Federal Candidate for Casey (VIC)

Greens

Senator Larissa Waters Senate Candidate for Queensland
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young Senate Candidate for South Australia
Senator Nick McKim for Senate Candidate for Tasmania
Senator Jordon Steele-John Senate Candidate for Western Australia
Andrew McLean Federal Candidate for Hinkler (QLD)
Andrew Stimson  Federal Candidate for Fadden (QLD)
Ben Hammond  Federal Candidate for McMahon (NSW)
Brandan Holt Federal Candidate for Oxley (QLD)
Carole Stanford Federal Candidate for Kennedy (QLD)
Emilie Flynn Federal Candidate for Corio (VIC)
Harjit Singh Federal Candidate for Bradfield (NSW)
Huong Truong Federal Candidate for Fraser (VIC)
Isabel Mudford Federal Candidate for Canberra  (ACT)
Jackie Carter Federal Candidate for Kooyong (VIC)
Janet Castle Federal Candidate for Werriwa (NSW)
Janet Shelley Federal Candidate for Clark (TAS)
Joanna Wells Federal Candidate for Boothby (SA)
Jocelyn Brewer Federal Candidate for Watson (NSW)
John Photakis Federal Candidate for Kingston (SA)
Jy Sandford Federal Candidate for Jagajaga (VIC)
Katie McCusker Federal Candidate for Sturt (SA)
Liz Tilly Federal Candidate for Parramatta (NSW)
Loki Sangarya Federal Candidate for Scullin (VIC)
Louise Stokes Federal Candidate for Hunter  (NSW)
Luke Skinner Federal Candidate for Spence  (SA)
Mandy Nolan  Federal Candidate for Richmond (NSW)
Martin Barry Federal Candidate for Hotham (VIC)
Matthew Kirwan Federal Candidate for Isaacs (VIC)
Nikil Paul Federal Candidate for Petrie (QLD)
Omar Sakr Federal Candidate for Blaxland (NSW)
Ponraj Krishna Pandi Federal Candidate for Gellibrand (VIC)
Renay Wells Federal Candidate for Fisher (QLD)
Samantha Ratnam Federal Candidate for Wills (VIC)
Sarah Newman Federal Candidate for Hawke (VIC)
Stephen Bates Federal Candidate for Brisbane (QLD)
Sue Etheridge Federal Candidate for Fairfax (QLD)
Tara Burnett Federal Candidate for Cooper (VIC)
Tim Randall Federal Candidate for Chisholm (VIC)
Tom Ferrier Federal Candidate for Lyne (NSW)
Vinnie Batten Federal Candidate for Dickson (QLD)

Socialist Alliance

Alex Bainbridge Federal Candidate for Rankin (QLD)
Andrew Chuter Senate Candidate for New South Wales
Jade “Nova” Sobieralski Senate Candidate for Western Australia
Jonathan Strauss Senate Candidate for Queensland
Peter Boyle Senate Candidate for New South Wales
Riley Breen  Senate Candidate for Western Australia

Heart

Elise Searson Prakaash Senate Candidate for ACT

Will your local candidate take the AGEC Election Pledge?

AGEC is asking all candidates in the 2025 Federal Election to signify their commitment to real action on gender equality by taking the AGEC Election Pledge for Gender Equality to address our Key Priorities and actions.

Help us by asking your local candidates to take the Gender Equality Pledge.

To find out more about the Election Pledge and how candidates can take the Pledge click here. 

Stay Tuned for AGEC’s Election Scorecard

The assessments are made in good faith based on how the published party policies at the time of writing address AGEC’s published Key Election Priorities.  Qualitative judgements are exercised in the measurement of likely impact of each policy initiative, having regard to multiple criteria, the scale of commitments, and the level of supporting detail. AGEC’s Scorecard will provide commentary for each of the major parties against each of the five Key Priorities.