Linda Burney (Barton, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Reid for her question. She is one of the 57 women in the Labor caucus and has a powerful back story that makes me proud and her family proud and should make us all proud.

This is an important issue, with crucial social and economic implications. The Albanese Labor government is deeply committed to advancing gender equality, and I am proud to be part of a team where 52 per cent of Labor members and senators are women and 10 members of cabinet are women—the most ever. Our reforms through the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Bill will take long overdue steps to address the gender pay gap, get wages moving and support secure work for women as well as safety in the workplace. In 2022, none of these things should be beyond us as a nation.

This bill puts women at the heart of the Fair Work system by setting clear expectations that the Fair Work Commission must consider gender equality in performing all of its functions, such as setting the minimum wage, considering changes to awards and other matters. We are establishing a pay equity expert panel and a care and community sector expert panel in the Fair Work Commission, supported by a dedicated research unit. The bill will support improved wages and conditions for early childhood education workers, cleaners, community service workers and others in highly feminised sectors.

This bill will also address the significant hurdles in the Fair Work Act. These hurdles often stand in the way of women in underpaid and undervalued industries obtaining equal remuneration. Our reforms will improve pay transparency and strengthen access to flexible working arrangements so that families can better share and manage their caring responsibilities.

Where the previous government refused to act, this bill will prohibit sexual harassment under the Fair Work Act, a recommendation of the Respect@Work report. I want to pay tribute, as the Prime Minister did earlier today, to the brave actions of the many women who brought this into the light.

These reforms are just one aspect of this government's ambition for Australia to be a leader on gender equality and our commitment to support women's economic equality and safety in the workplace.

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