I welcome the support from global world leaders past and present for Iran to be removed from the UN Commission on the Status of Women.

Amongst the first signatories to an Open Letter demanding members of the Commission, including Australia, take action to seek Iran’s removal are: former Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, former US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Former NZ PM Helen Clark, and former US First Ladies Laura Bush and Michelle Obama.

This morning I have signed this open letter, along with thousands of women from all walks of life from around the world.

On behalf of the Opposition, I first called for Australia to take the lead on having Iran removed from the Commission on September 20, the week of Mahsa Amini’s death. Last Thursday, the Senate supported a motion co-sponsored by myself and Senator Jacqui Lambie to initiate a Senate inquiry into the violence in Iran, with terms of referencing specifically focusing on Iran’s status on the Commission on the Status of Women.

As the open letter says: “Member States who sit on the CSW have a duty to uphold its mandate and defend the very values they claim to support.”

I once again urge the Australian Government to take tangible, concrete action today by acting to have Iran removed from the Commission on the Status of Women.

The Open Letter is available here: https://www.womanlifefreedom.today/