Sam Lim (Tangney, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That this House:

(1) recognises the commendable efforts of the Government in addressing the status of women and promoting pay equality;

(2) applauds the initiatives the Government has taken to improve conditions for working women, supporting their safety and economic equality;

(3) acknowledges that women still experience economic inequality, including a national gender pay gap of 13 per cent and an average of 47 per cent less super for women compared to men, equating to an $85,000 difference for the average superannuation fund;

(4) highlights the:

(a) disproportionate impact on working mothers who currently predominantly take parental leave and experience a significant gap in superannuation contributions during this period; and

(b) Government's significant expansion of paid parental leave which increases the scheme to 26 weeks by July 2026, and provides each parent four weeks of reserved leave from July 2026 when the full scheme is implemented in order to encourage shared care and send a strong signal that both parents play a role in caring for their children; and

(5) supports the continued efforts by the Government to close the gender pay gap and support women's economic equality over their lifetime.

Women are the backbone of this nation, and I'm proud to be part of the team that has 53 per cent women representing the 47th Parliament. I want to commend the effort of the Albanese Labor government in addressing the status of women and promoting pay equality, which will improve conditions for working women across Australia in addition to supporting their safety and economic wellbeing. We all know that true progress cannot be achieved without the active participation and inclusion of women from all facets of society. We have implemented a comprehensive set of policies aimed at dismantling barriers and fostering an environment where all women can triumph.

First and foremost, our government has made huge leaps in closing the gender pay gap. We have reformed the workplace relations system through the secure jobs, better pay bill, which improved how the workplace relations system supports women. This reform included making gender equality an objective of the Fair Work Act 2009, banning pay secrecy and legislating a statutory equal remuneration principle. This will produce tangible results in reducing wage inequality and ensure that women receive fair compensation for their labour.

On top of this, our government's most recent decision with Labor's tax cut will also have a bigger impact on the majority of working women, by increasing the amount they can take home at the end of the financial year compared to what they would have under the previous government. These tax cuts are testament to our government's vision of a fair and inclusive Australia, where the benefits of economic growth are distributed equitably.

Furthermore, we have championed an initiative to promote economic empowerment among women. We have invested in education and skills training programs, with fee free TAFEs seeing strong uptake by women, who represent 60 per cent of all enrolment. Our cheaper childcare policy, with increased subsidy arrangements, makes it more affordable for families to return to work. I'm glad to see that women across the nation are breaking down barriers and shattering glass ceilings, contributing not only to their own economic wellbeing but also to the prosperity of our nation.

In addition to addressing economic inequality, the Albanese Labor government has been a trailblazer in expanding access to paid parental leave. The significant expansion of paid parental leave, which increases the scheme to 26 week by July 2026, provides each parent four weeks of reserved leave to encourage shared care and send a strong signal that both parents play a role in caring for their children. But our work is far from over.

Despite the progress that we have made, there are still challenges that lie ahead in our journey towards gender equality. I acknowledge that women still experience economic inequality, with a disproportionate impact on working mothers who do take parental leave and experience a significant gap in superannuation contribution during this period. This, coupled with a national gender pay gap of 13 per cent and an average of 47 per cent less super for women compared to men, equates to a difference of $85,000 in the average superannuation fund.

The Albanese Labor government remains committed to addressing issues such as gender-based violence, workplace discrimination and the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles. Through continued collaboration with stakeholders across all sectors of society, we will work tirelessly to build a future where every woman and girl can fulfil her potential and contribute fully to the prosperity and wellbeing of our nation. As we look to the future, I remain committed to advocating for gender equality and a more prosperous future for all Australian.

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