Friday, October 23, 2026
Thanks to today’s partner Cultivate Sponsorship
“The terminology used in it is strange”.
This was the awkward admission of NSW Premier Chris Minns yesterday, after his government decided to backtrack on “gender neutral” language in its employee breastfeeding policy.
The decision comes after opposition leader Kellie Sloane posted a video to social media criticising the original policy that replaced references to “women” and “mothers” with gender-neutral terms like “parent”, “carer” and “lactating parent”.Madeline Hislop reports.
Also today, new research shows young men know the manosphere can be toxic, but many are still drawn to its promises of confidence, discipline and success. Here’s why this content can be so hard to resist.
In entrepreneurship, some good news out of Victoria, with the Labor Government committing a further $10 million into the Alice Anderson Fund, which backs women-founded start-ups, doubling the investment from 2021.
And with female founders in mind, we chat with three women building great ventures.
First, Renee Vallender who used maternity leave to pivot a career in finance into launching a chain of niche hair salons specialising in straightening.
And also, two sisters in law, Kate Day and Katherine Stocker who launched a successful winemaking business with no vineyard or capital.
Have an excellent weekend!
Tarla Lambert-Patel
Editor in Chief & Co-Founder
The Key Quote
There was no pretence, no sense of someone playing a role, just a good woman who genuinely cared about the people around her.
Lizz Gourley
Local Wangarrata woman and mother Lizz Gourley has shared an open letter to independent MP Helen Haines, reflecting on the time she met the politician when her baby was four weeks old. The letter was published by The ABC today.
On Women's Agenda Today
Man armed with nunchucks arrested after allegedly making threats at WA MP Hannah Beazley’s electorate office
A man has been arrested after he entered the electorate office of Western Australian MP Hannah Beazley and allegedly threatened staff while armed with nunchucks. Read more +
“Hormonal” isn’t a diagnosis: Why women’s midlife mental health keeps getting missed
It’s World Menopause Month, and Dr Fatima Khan says medicine is still too quick to dismiss the link between hormones and mental health. Read more +
Helen Haines lost her legs. The media mourns Brendan Nugent’s lost potential.
In the wake of the horrific attack on Helen Haines, the media’s focus has been on her perpetrator and his lost potential. Read more +
Australia has let abuse of its representatives become ‘part of the job’ – and women bear the brunt
Abuse against Australian politicians is becoming normalised, affecting how elected representatives engage with communities and carry out their roles. Read more +
How two sisters in law launched a wine brand with no winery, vineyard or capital
Seeing Double Wine Co founders Kate Day and Nina Stocker built a successful wine business through industry connections and adaptability. Read more +
The Key Figure
8
Globally, mothers get nearly 8 times as much paid leave as fathers, according to new UN data, which highlgihts the cost to families, children and economies when fathers cannot access leave.
The win
Government submits offers to send Australian of the Year Katherine Bennell-Pegg to space
The federal government has submitted an offer to the European Space Agency to send Australian of the Year Katherine Bennell-Pegg to the International Space Station. Science Minister Tim Ayres confirmed the news on Friday.
On The Women's Agenda Podcast
Check out our weekly podcast
This weekend marks World Menopause Day! We speak with Mary Caustas to learn more about her own peri and menopause experience, and why she founded UnPause to help women feel more informed and supported through this stage of life. Mary is a comedian, actress and founder. She came to television fame in the 1980s for her portrayal of the iconic Greek-Australian character Effie Stephanidis in the comedy series Acropolis Now, winning a Logie Award for Best Comedy Performer.
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