CANBERRA, ACT, Feb. 5 -- The Prime Minister of Australia issued the following media release:

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and I pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging.

I acknowledge all my parliamentary colleagues here today.

From the very beginning of the United Nations, Australia has been a leader in the global effort to promote equality for women.

Indeed, the reason the UN Charter makes specific mention of sexual discrimination is because of a great Australian, Jessie Street.

One of just eight women among 850 delegates in San Francisco in 1945.

She told that conference:

"Where the rules are silent, women are not usually considered."

This year's call to "Balance t...