How do you change a bad law?

In the May 2023 budget, Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced an important change to the welfare payment for single parents: recipients could stay on it until their youngest child turned 14, up from the previous cut-off at 8 years old.

The campaign that took place leading up to the budget is a success story of how lived experience, independent research, media attention, and a government-backed task force combined to reform a harmful policy.

It’s a powerful case study for anyone wanting to change bad laws.

Hear from some of the lead actors in changing the policy:

• Terese Edwards, CEO of the National Council of Single Mothers and their Children, whose stories from single mothers across Australia showed the reality of the hardship facing women receiving the single parent payment.
• Dr Anne Summers AO, Professor of Domestic & Family Violence at UTS, whose ground-breaking report The Choice: Violence or Poverty showed that single mothers are overwhelmingly victims of domestic violence, who too often remain in violent relationships to avoid poverty-level welfare support.
• Laura Tingle, Producer of ABC’s 7.30, continued to shine a light on the issue and help galvanise widespread public support for the change.
• Sam Mostyn AO, Chair of the Women's Economic Equality Taskforce, a key player in prioritising and recommending policy change to the Federal Government. 

This discussion will provide lessons to other researchers, activists, policymakers, and the community sector on how to join forces to make a real difference and navigate complex politics to advocate for – and achieve – reform.

The panel session will be recorded. Register to receive the event recording. 

The conversation will cover:

• What channels of advocacy are most effective?
• Engaging in the political system
• Responding to key moments - good and bad
• How to build relationships with government and ministers
• The power of working together

Event agenda

5.00 pm: Doors open (join us for drinks and nibbles) 
6.00 pm: Panel session commences 
7.00 pm: Event closes