One year on: Women’s activists prepare for anniversary protesting weekly outside Nola Marino’s office

Every Friday for the past year, local Bunbury women who are passionate advocates for women’s rights, have protested outside a Liberal MP’s office demanding for change in Parliament House. The Alongside vigil group, formerly known as the Women’s Action Group, have held a peaceful vigil outside of Liberal MP Nola Marino’s office every Friday for one year in wake of allegations of sexual assault on former staffers in the House of Parliament. This Friday, March 18, will be their 52nd vigil. In March last year, these women alongside dozens of protestors, marched the streets of Bunbury as part of the nationwide March4Justice rallies protesting against the sexual abuse and harassment of women. The weekly vigil is the group’s attempt to keep Ms Marino accountable, however group member Marilyn Palmer said it was disappointing Ms Marino had not engaged further than the single meeting. “Since we started the vigil, we have never had any contact with her outside of the meeting last year, but she has never come out, she hasn’t thought to engage us,” Ms Palmer said. “With the Federal election coming up, we wanted to meet with all the candidates of Forrest, so we have had a couple of meetings where a candidate as come to join the vigil and joined us for a cup of tea afterwards.” “We sent an email to Nola... inviting her, telling her we have met with a couple candidates now and we would be happy to meet with her, but she hasn’t responded to that.” “We would love to talk to her about the progress she has seen the government make in the past 12 months since the Women’s March 4 Justice.” Ms Palmer said she is glad to see some developments happening inside Federal Government, however wished Ms Marino would be open to talking further. “Right at the beginning, the first meeting we had with her, we asked about funding for consent training for professionals in all schools, and that was the time she gave that infamous comment where she said ‘I don’t think we know what consent means’ which did shock me a bit.” Ms Marino told the Bunbury Herald she would continue to support the Government’s action towards the issue. “I have met with local women regarding the matters which are the subject of the protest,” she said. “As a community representative, local member, assistant minister, and woman, I support the measures the Government has taken, and continues to take, on these matters.” Ms Marino did not offer comment in response to the vigil. Alongside vigil group member, Marilyn Palmer, said the vigil had become a point of conversation for the community. “Initially when we first started, I think people didn’t understand what we were standing there for, but now we have out sign that says Justice for Woman, and that’s make it a lot easier for people to come up and have a chat,” she said. “When we have men join us, which we do sometimes, other men will stop and talk and it really makes it a full community conversation.” “The group is completely open, everyone is always welcome and we always go for a coffee afterwards. It’s more than just the vigil now, it community and connection.”