Katie Allen (Higgins, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to pay tribute to a woman who was a trailblazer in this place and whose actions spoke not only to her own generation but those who followed. In 1975, the Honourable Susan Maree Ryan AO campaigned on the slogan 'A woman's place is in the Senate'. Time would also prove that it was a woman's place that was in the cabinet, in the High Court, in Government House and, indeed, in The Lodge. Susan Ryan's actions and achievements paved the way for these to happen. Indeed, Susan leaves an enviable legacy that transcends partisan politics and profoundly changed how Australian society operates.

Susan Ryan was principled, determined and incredibly hardworking. She entered the Senate in 1975 before spending seven years in opposition. During this time, she served in a variety of roles, including shadow minister for communications, the arts and the media and, later, Indigenous affairs. She later became the first woman in a Labor cabinet, serving as a Minister for Education, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Women and the Special Minister of State. However, Susan was much more than Labor's first cabinet woman. She was an exemplary public servant. Susan spearheaded policies that lifted year 12 retention rates from one-third to two-thirds. Susan was also the architect of the Sex Discrimination Act and the Affirmative Action (Equal Employment Opportunity for Women) Act. This made sexual harassment illegal and bolstered women's economic empowerment. It meant women could study whatever they wanted without restriction. It meant women could have a career and children—not one or the other. It meant women could buy a home without needing the husband or father alongside them. The women and girls of today stand on Susan Ryan's shoulders, just as she stood on the shoulders of those before her.

Women have not had the role models to look to that men have, because it is only in relatively recent history that we have witnessed women in power. Like men, women need to be able to look across the country and see themselves represented at every point of significant influence. The concept that 'if she can do it, so can I' is a very powerful motivator. Men take for granted that they have role models of power and influence. For women, this is a relatively recent development. Take, for example, my cousin, Margaret Bonfield, who was the first female cabinet member of the UK parliament almost 100 years ago. She was the first female member of the Privy Council in its history. In those days, women—like our party's co-founder Dame Elizabeth Couchman—had to choose between public life and having a family. The legacy of these women—along with Susan Ryan—is left for us to champion. This includes promoting economic and social equality for women.

In 2018, the government—led by my predecessor, Kelly O'Dwyer, Minister for Women and former member for Higgins—released the inaugural Women's Economic Security Statement. This investment of $119 million had three key pillars. The first was to increase workforce participation. The second was to improve earning potential, and the third was to promote economic independence. I am proud that last night the budget included our second Women's Economic Security Statement, with $240 million in measures and programs to support new cadetships and apprenticeships for women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics—an issue that's very dear to my heart—job creation and entrepreneurialism, and women's safety at work and in the home. These measures are needed now more than ever to help regain the strides we had made pre-COVID to increase women's work participation and to decrease the gender pay gap.

As the Treasurer said last night in his budget speech, Australian women made up the majority of those who've lost their job during this COVID crisis. As the health restrictions have eased however, these jobs have started to come back with 60 per cent of the 458,000 jobs created since May filled by women. This is a welcome development.

There is so much to do in this place to support women, not because of COVID-19 but despite it. As a working mother of four, I know at a very personal level the juggle that has been exacerbated by COVID-19. Australia will be forever indebted to Susan Ryan's public service. We must pick up the baton from the women who went before us and continue their important work. I extend my sincere condolences to Susan's partner, Rory, and her children, Justine and Benedict, and her grandson, Amir. May she rest in peace.

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