The Senate Just Threw Its Support Behind The AFL Women’s League
Turns out parliament isn't all bad.
Federal parliament is usually full of politicians doing very bad things, so we’re excited to bring you an actual good thing that happened today.
This afternoon the senate passed a Greens motion in support of the new AFL Women’s League. The motion was moved by Victorian senator Janet Rice and noted the huge crowds so far, as well as the fact “the launch of an elite level national competition provides an inspiring level to which players can aspire.”
The motion also congratulated the players, coaching staff, supporters and clubs involving in the competition and called on the government to take action to support women’s participation in AFL and to support fair pay for players.
Players in the AFL Women’s league receive a minimum wage of $8,500 per season, but still have to pay for their own private health insurance. The AFL initially offered players a minimum wage of $5,000 but after months of negotiation they upped the amount and agreed to pay for the cost player’s boots, a travel allowance and a carers allowance for players who have a young child.
The average pay for a male AFL player is over $300,000 a year.
The motion passed the Senate unanimously. It doesn’t compel the government to do anything, and the government doesn’t actually have any power over how the AFL sets pay rates, but it’s still nice of the senate and the Greens to throw their support behind the new league.
The AFL Women’s league has pulled huge crowds so far, selling out grounds across Melbourne.
Senator Rice is a Western Bulldogs supporter and watched them smash Fremantle at Whitten Oval in Footscray last week in front of an 11,000 strong crowd.
“I loved being at the game last weekend,” Senator Rice told Junkee. “The game was great, lots of excitement, thrills and spills, and of course totally wonderful that the Bulldogs won. The crowd was amazing too, full of young people in their 20’s and 30’s , young families and girls inspired by and aspiring to play like their heroes on the ground.
“Footy has always been a great social equaliser, but the AFLW has taken it to a new level.”