Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Thanks to today’s partner Tafe Queensland
How is it that an employer can still sack a woman for IVF, pregnancy or leaving a marriage?
Because of exceptions covering religious schools and other institutions.
As we shared last week, a new parliamentary bill aims to address the issue. Today, a group of women’s organisations and advocates are raising it with the prime minister, 40 years on from the Sex Discrimination Act.
Also today, new research finds that female GPs in Australia do longer, harder consults than their male counterparts, and they’re burning out in the process.
Meanwhile, Molly Jeffery raises concerns that a radical wellness economy is emerging to target vulnerable women fed up with being ignored elsewhere.
Finally, there’s an ad attacking a Democrat candidate for governor who was abused as a child that’s so vile, even Republicans are calling it out. But Trump? He says keep it up!
ICYMI: Here’s how empathetic leadership is being explored in Australia, thanks to Jacinda Ardern.
In our 2026 national survey in partnership with Cultivate, 63% of women said their employer doesn't offer adequate mentoring or sponsorship. Cultivate built Australia's first research-grounded sponsorship program, pairing high-potential women and First Nations talent with senior leaders who can open doors. Explore the program here.
Angela Priestley
Founding Editor & Publisher
The Key Quote
I hoped he wouldn’t sink this low. But of course he did.
Democratic nominee for Ohio governor, Amy Acton
Politicians from across the aisle have denounced a shameful ad paid for by Ohio governor Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, which featured the long-estranged mother of his Democratic opponent, Amy Acton. The mother had lost custody of Acton decades ago after her husband was charged with sexually abusing Acton as a child.
On Women's Agenda Today
Four Corners exposed childcare again. The reforms didn’t touch the thing that’s broken
Despite new childcare safety reforms, staffing shortages and a profit-driven system continue to put children at risk in Australia’s early learning services. Read more +
Medicare’s gender bias: female GPs do the longer, harder consults
Female GPs spend longer with patients and manage more complex cases, yet Medicare continues to undervalue their work and reinforce gender inequality. Read more +
A religious school can still sack a woman for IVF, pregnancy or leaving a violent partner. In 2026
How is this still possible in Australia? An open letter calls for change, 40 years after the Sex Discrimination Act. Read more +
Australia’s healthcare failures are funding a radical wellness economy
Australia’s failing healthcare system is pushing women towards online wellness influencers who exploit their desperation with dangerous misinformation and false promises of control. Read more +
Vivek Ramaswamy put an abuser’s wife in an attack ad. Trump told him to keep it up
Politicians have denounced a shameful ad paid for by Ohio governor Republican candidate and billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy. Read more +
The Key Figure
30 years
The number of years in prison Oren, Alon and Tal Alexander have been sentenced to in New York after being convicted in sex trafficking case.
The win
Governor-General Sam Mostyn wears refugee woman’s design at Admiralty House
At Admiralty House in Sydney on Thursday, the Governor-General Sam Mostyn wore an outfit featuring a custom community print co-designed by Farukh, who came to Australia as a refugee. The evening was part of Activate Her Skills, an initiative by SSI and the Australian Multicultural Women’s Alliance to harness the economic potential of migrant and refugee women.
On The Women's Agenda Podcast
Check out our weekly podcast
We unpack the week that was, inspired by the grace and dignity of Dr Helen Haines, her husband Phil Haines and Governor-General Sam Mostyn. Plus, our conversation with Dr Kayla Steele, a Clinical Psychologist for UNSW at the Black Dog Institute, and why "overwhelm" describes much of the mood of women in Australia. Kayla discusses the value of movement, connection, and friendship on mental health, and also why the Black Dog Institute and UNSW are studying the impact of IVF on mental health.
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