The Australian
Siobhain Ryan | November 10, 2007

THE major parties are scoring fail marks on female-friendly policies at the campaign's halfway mark, according to a Women's Electoral Lobby report card.

Lobby chairwoman Eva Cox said Labor was leading the Coalition 45 per cent to 8 per cent in its tally, which took account of policies ranging from industrial relations and childcare to welfare payments and human rights.

"Both major parties score badly in areas such as income support for the very poorest, such as those on benefits, such as sole parents," Ms Cox said.

"No one deals well with older women on their own, as most of the money is going to well-off superannuants, with little for those living just on pensions."

Labor picked up a better score than the Coalition because of its policies on industrial relations, childcare, education and health.

Labor and the Coalition also lost points for failing to give women a proper voice in public life through a focus on equal opportunity or by bringing women's issues under the purview of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

The Greens and Democrats did better across most areas, scoring 71 per cent and 59 per cent respectively, while Family First came in at a lowly 9.5 per cent because it was concerned only with "certain types of families".

What Women Want, an all-female party fielding 18 candidates on women's issues, failed to get a look-in, as the report card gave coverage only to the nation's top five political forces. "(WWW) ... are very conscious of the importance of most of the issues we have raised," Ms Cox said.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22733545-5013946,00.html