Unravelling the interwoven issues tying our system up in knots

For the last 30 years, Women in Super, as an organisation, has always focused on the long-standing inequality in the superannuation system. And although we acknowledged the many and varied labour-force issues that compound and flow into the gender super gap, we haven't necessarily worked specifically to address them as they were not considered ‘a super problem’. After much discussion and consultation with our members (and a few significant wins which are working to resolve some of the more structural problems), we’ve decided it’s time to start addressing head-on the individual threads of inequality that feed into disadvantage across the life-course and into retirement.

Our first step is bringing together the nation's leading experts on topics such as gendered violence, self-determination, care work and low-paid industries to discuss what can be done to unravel these interwoven issues, that are currently tying our system up in knots.

Read the full program.

Panel 1: The systemic drivers of gendered retirement inequality

A focus on the pervasive systemic gender inequality that is driving retirement inequality: economic structures such as the undervaluation of care work, and segregation into low-paid industries, with discussions around how to achieve systemic change.

Moderated by Daniel Ziffer: Journalist, ABC News

Panellists:

• Zoe Daniel: Independent Member for Goldstein
• Catherine Fox: Author
• Padma Raman: Executive Director, Office for Women

Panel 2A: Gendered violence - An overview

In Australia, intimate partner violence contributes to more death, disability and illness in women aged 25 to 44 than any other preventable risk factor. This session will provide a comprehensive analysis of gendered violence and its impacts.

Moderated by Cath Bowtell: Chair, IFM Investors

Panellists:

• Joanna Fletcher: Executive Director, Family, Youth and Children's Law, Victoria Legal Aid
• Megan Jones: Assistant Manager, Industry Engagement and Enablement, Australian eSafety Commissioner

Panel 2B: Economic security for victim-survivors

The interplay between economic dependence and gender-based violence: how to achieve financial security in a way that overcomes the pull of staying in violent relationships.

Moderated by Cath Bowtell: Chair, IFM Investors

Panellists:

• Tessa Boyd-Cain: CEO, ANROWS
• Christine Cupitt: CEO, CALI
• Rebecca Glenn: CEO, CWES

Panel 3: Cracks in the system

Many of the unfair aspects of the retirement income system have been tackled over recent years and yet women continue to retire with less super than men, and we are only just beginning to consider how it can be more effective for our First Nations members. There are still many other cracks in the system that need to be addressed to improve financial security for Australia’s retired women.

Moderated by Robbie Campo: Chair, Women in Super

Panellists:

• Debby Blakey: CEO, HESTA
• Nicolette Rubinsztein: Executive Director
• Phil Usher: CEO, First Nations Foundation