11 September 2026

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Australian women aren't short on ambition. 55% want a promotion within three years, and only 12% say a lack of skills is what's holding them back. The barriers are clarity and visibility. Women's Workplace Visibility in 2026, our national survey with Women's Agenda, sets out what 372 women told us and what employers can do about it. Read the report. (Partner Message)

Men as money trees?

That’s the latest marketing gag from retailer Big W, with a social reel depicting a woman seemingly watering her husband. More mind-boggling, is that even with a torrent of scathing comments (since deleted), Big W still has it up… Madeline Hislop reports.

In other mind-boggling decisions, Rita Nasr looks at two separate stories in sport this week that show how deeply entrenched sexism is at all levels. Whether it’s teen soccer, or club boardrooms, you can bet your money tree that women are drawing the short straw.

Elsewhere, Angela Priestley is deep in the weeds of ICAC; from a consultant being paid $10,000 a month for a “mum’s perspective” to young men dreaming about dragging the Liberal Party further to the right. It’s a revealing (and ridiculous) snapshot of how power, politics and influence operate behind the scenes.

In better news, Sydney mums have raised $3.5m for The Royal Hospital for Women’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit since 2016, including Australia’s first neonatal MRI machine.

And finally, when we know First Nations and CALD people experience some of the worst online racism, it’s baffling to see the government’s proposed digital duty of care dropping protections against online hate based on race and religion. Prabha Nandagopal shares more.

ICYMI, we’re working with the legends at Movember, The Man Cave & The Foundation for Positive Masculinity to explore how adults (including parents, carers, educators and coaches) in boys' lives can best support them in an increasingly digital world- with the obvious flow on objective of making the world safer for women and girls too. If you have 5 minutes to spare, please take our survey.

Tarla Lambert-Patel
Editor in Chief & Co Founder

The Key Quote

The message from the community is simple – Australians are saying enough is enough. Action simply cannot wait until after yet another woman or child is harmed.

Nicole Yade
CEO of Women’s and Girls’ Emergency Centre

New research has found 7 in 10 Australians believe the government has responded too slowly since domestic and family violence was declared a national crisis two years ago.

On Women's Agenda Today

Our new report reveals a workplace visibility gap for ambitious Australian women

Australian women are more ambitious than ever, but a clarity and visibility gap is slowing their progression. Read more +

Australia’s public schools are being propped up by unpaid mums

Women do most of the unpaid work to keep Australia’s underfunded public schools running, through P&Cs and fundraising. Read more +

7 in 10 Australians say government has responded too slow to ‘national crisis’ of domestic violence

7 in 10 Australians believe government has responded too slowly since domestic violence was declared a national crisis. Read more +

Sydney mothers raise $3.5m to fund Australia’s first neonatal MRI machine

Sydney women are using their influence to fund an MRI machine, helping transform healthcare for women and newborns in Australia. Read more +

‘Your blood tests are normal.’ Why that doesn’t always mean women are well

Normal blood tests can miss women’s health concerns, revealing how much medicine still has to learn about women. Read more +

The Key Figure

$10,000

The amount of money consultant Anita Perrottet was paid on a monthly retainer to offer a “mum’s perspective”, according to evidence provided by Liberal lobbyist Jeremy Greenwood at the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) this week.

The win

Sydney mothers raise $3.5m to fund Australia’s first neonatal MRI machine

A group of high-profile Sydney women have used their influence to help make advancements in women’s healthcare, with their sights set on providing Australia’s first neonatal MRI machine. Harriet Waugh, Deborah Symond O’Neil, Madeline Holtznagel and Zena Nasser White are behind the fundraising.

On The Women's Agenda Podcast

Check out our weekly podcast

Women's Agenda speaks with George Megalogenis about his new book Three Shocks: Who We Are Becoming in the 21st Century. The book traces how politics has failed to keep up with a changing Australia, including via one key shock -- that professional women are now the largest segment of the workforce, replacing blue-collar men.

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