Zoe Daniel (Goldstein, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

International Women's Day is about celebrating the gains while recognising there's still a lot of work before women have true equality. One of many glaring gaps is superannuation. Across Australia, women generally retire with one-third less super than their male counterparts, meaning more of them face the prospect of poverty in retirement. On average, women in Goldstein have $54,000 less super than men when they retire. So, on a day when the spotlight is firmly fixed on how to improve the economic equality and wellbeing of women, I urge the government to add superannuation to paid parental leave. Around 170,000 women receiving Commonwealth PPL this year will miss out on super while on leave.

Australia is ranked equal first in the world for women's education, but the report card sours after that. We rank 38th when it comes to economic participation and opportunity, and that's because of discrimination, caring responsibilities, gender segregation in the workforce, high levels of part-time work, the gender pay gap and a lack of women in leadership. Enough. Women want secure work and respect, and that's exactly what I will continue to fight for as the member for Goldstein, in the name of the trailblazing Vida Goldstein on 8 March and every other day of the year.

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