The Minister for Women, Marise Payne, was in Tweed Shire last week and she had the opportunity to address all of Year 11 and 12 students St Joseph’s College Banora Point following her tour of Tropical Fruit World.
‘She spoke about the challenging year that was 2020 and congratulated them for their resilience,’ said Tweed Councillor James Owen (Liberal) who accompanied her on her tour.
‘It was great to see Minister for Women, Marise Payne here last week speaking with many of the school captains from our local high schools and primary schools. She congratulated them on being leaders in their school communities and spoke on the importance of speaking up for your rights as women and being good role models,’ said Tweed Mayor Chris Cherry (Independent).
Changing the culture
‘She very briefly raised the issues currently taking place in Canberra around the treatment of women and the rape of Brittany Higgins at the end of her speech. She said that it is not okay and that the government intends to do “everything we can” to make it [working in Canberra] a safe and healthy environment for all people.’
On Monday 15 March there are a number of March 4 Freedom happening locally, in Canberra, and around the country that are calling for an end to gendered violence against women.
China relations
Marise Payne is also the Minister for Foreign Affairs and acting Minister for Defence.
‘Being Minister for Foreign Affairs the question of how to repair the trade relationships with China was also hot on the agenda for some attendees,’ Mayor Cherry told The Echo.
‘It was great for our young leaders to have the chance to speak directly with the Minister at this time.’
