Victorian political representatives from Labor, Liberals, the Greens and the Animal Justice Party laid out their plans for gender equity on Thursday evening at a pre-election forum.
Member for Eildon Cindy McLeish was asked during a panel about the coalition's intention to repeal the Statewide Treaty Act within 100 days of winning the November 28 election.
"This isn't a forum for treaty, this is a forum about women," she said, which was met with boos.
"Sorry, I thought we would need to respect each other. And one of the platforms that we have in the gender equality statement is respect."
The Liberals had a dedicated commitment to make things better for the Aboriginal community, she said.
"We know there's too many women incarcerated, there are too many women subject to family violence from men who are not Aboriginal ... we know that there's problems with education and even with maternal and child care," she said.
"I don't think you need to have treaty to do it."
In her pitch, Ms McLeish discussed the need for Victoria's gender equality strategy - which expires end of 2027 - to be extended; rising aggravated assaults against women; and financial security for older women.
Minister for Women and Deputy Premier Gabrielle Williams said under Labor, Victoria had led the nation on gender equality as the first state to legislate a Gender Equality Act and hold a majority of women in cabinet.
She committed to a refreshed gender equity strategy under a re-elected Labor government and highlighted her party's commitment to improving abortion care, but said there was still a long way to go.
Greens spokesperson for women and gender equality Anasina Gray-Barberio, the first Samoan woman elected to Victorian parliament, highlighted the importance of intersectionality.
"Gender equity in Victoria has been driven by generations of women who refused to accept status quo - First Nations women, migrant and refugee women, women with disabilities, LGBTQIA+, and gender-diverse people," she said.
Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell highlighted her work with government on abortion access, ending pets being used as coercion in family violence, and called for a parliamentary inquiry into inclusivity in sport.
"We know that if we can change our sporting clubs, it will play significant role in stamping up violence in our communities," she said.
The candidates noted the difficulties facing women in office as they paid tribute to federal independent Helen Haines as she recovers in hospital from an alleged attack.
"It feels really heavy, meeting in a room to speak about gender equity and ending violence against women, when we have seen such a horrific act of male violence," Ms Purcell said.
Gender Equity Victoria's chief executive Micaela Drieberg, who organised the forum, was pleased to see the candidates unified in many areas, including on extending the gender equality strategy.
But she said it was disappointing the coalition planned to repeal treaty for no clear reason.
One Nation's Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell did not attend the event despite an invitation.
