Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) — My question is to the Minister for Families and Children, representing the Minister for Women. Wicked Campers advertisements have been said to vilify and demean women and have been the subject of recent media attention, and it is stated that the government has been hamstrung in dealing with them, but I note that prior to the opposition’s 2011 amendments that wound back the investigative and enforcement powers of the equal opportunity commissioner she could have taken action on this issue. The commission model is educative and balanced, involves no incursion on free speech, listens and learns and works with organisations to effect lasting cultural change. Will the government reinstate the previous powers of the equal opportunity commissioner?
Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) — Thank you, Minister. Certainly I note that the Minister for Women stated that the new strategy — the gender and equity strategy — would include options to deal with Wicked Campers slogans. I also note that the Queensland government have introduced legislation that will try and address complaints about Wicked Campers advertising, but it is a very blunt instrument they are using. They are using very punitive legislation. I am just wondering if the minister could rule out a similar punitive approach to this issue that I do not think helps us in improving gender equity when we need cultural change instead.
