CEW Congratulates Re-Elected SA Gov: Looks Forward to Building on Reforms to Advance Women's Economic Participation

22 March, 2026

Chief Executive Women (CEW) has congratulated the re-elected South Australian Government and said it looks forward to continuing its engagement with Premier Peter Malinauskas and his government on policies that boost economic productivity by advancing women's economic participation and security.

CEW CEO, Lisa Annese said that over the past term, the South Australian Government has delivered significant initiatives to improve women's economic participation, invest in the care economy and address violence against women.

"We congratulate Premier Malinauskas and his government on their re-election and are committed to working with them on reforms that will help build a more resilient, productive and gender-equal South Australian economy," Ms Annese said.

"The Premier and his government have demonstrated a genuine commitment to the policy settings that support women's full contribution to the economy and to public life.

"A commitment to women's safety has also been central to the Government's agenda, and the reforms delivered in this space have set a standard for other jurisdictions to follow."

Over the past term, the South Australian Government has:

• Commenced the rollout of universal three-year-old preschool from 2026, supported by a $56 million early childhood workforce fund and expanded out of school hours care.
  
  
• Established the Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, led by CEW member the Hon. Natasha Stott Despoja AO, and committed $674 million in response, including the criminalisation of coercive control, 15 days of paid domestic violence leave, a standalone ministerial portfolio for domestic, family and sexual violence, and 100 dedicated police officers.
  
  
• Created the Gender Pay Gap Taskforce, released the Women's Equality Blueprint 20232026, and legislated the protection of domestic violence as a ground of discrimination under the Equal Opportunity Act.

Ms Annese said South Australia's approach to early childhood education reform and genderbased violence prevention had set a benchmark for the rest of the country.

"The South Australian Government has led the nation in improving access to early childhood education and care for families," Ms Annese said.

"These investments give children the best possible start while enabling more women to enter and remain in the workforce.

“When families have access to affordable, quality early childhood education, the benefits flow across the broader economy.

"The Government has also placed a critical focus on reducing violence against women. Women's safety is foundational to women's economic participation.

“Women cannot fully contribute to their workplaces and communities if they do not feel safe at home, at work and in public life.

"We look forward to working with Premier Malinauskas and his government over the coming term to ensure this progress continues for women and families across South Australia," Ms Annese said.

Media Contact:  Mayank Gurnani
E: mgurnani@cew.org.au
M: +61 414 463 827 

About Chief Executive Women 

Since 1985, Chief Executive Women (CEW) has influenced and engaged all levels of Australian business and government to remove the barriers to women's progression and ensure equal opportunity for prosperity. CEW's 1,400 members represent Australia's most senior and distinguished leaders across the country's largest private and public organisations, collectively overseeing over 1.3 million employees and $749 billion in revenue.