Zaneta Mascarenhas (Swan, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That this House:

(1) acknowledges the data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showing the national gender pay gap is the lowest on record, falling to 11.5 per cent from 12 per cent in November 2023, and 14.1 per cent in May 2022;

(2) recognises the progress of the Government in advancing the economic empowerment of Australian women, noting the following initiatives:

(a) a $173.80 per week increase to women's average weekly earnings since May 2022;

(b) funding a 15 per cent wage increase for early childhood education and care workers;

(c) reaching a 63.2 per cent record high for women's workforce participation;

(d) a tax cut for every Australian woman taxpayer from July 1, and a bigger tax cut for 90 per cent of Australian women taxpayers;

(e) $1.1 billion over four years to pay superannuation on Government-funded paid parental leave from 1 July 2025;

(f) $427.4 million over four years to provide financial support to students on mandatory nursing (including midwifery), social work and teaching placements;

(g) expansion of paid parental leave, providing families with access to 26 weeks of leave by July 2026;

(h) $38.2 million over eight years to support a thriving, skilled and diverse science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) workforce in response to the Pathway to Diversity in STEM Review; and

(i) $55.6 million over four years to establish the Building Women's Careers program;

(3) supports the Government as it continues to develop policies and invest in programs to improve women's economic empowerment, recognising the connection between the safety of women and women's financial autonomy and wellbeing; and

(4) commends the Government's commitment to putting women at the centre of Australia's economic plan to make the lives of Australian women safer, fairer and more equal.

The good news is that the pay gap between men and women in Australia is shrinking. The motion I move today recognises the significant progress that the Albanese Labor government has made to address the gender pay gap and, in doing so, advance the economic empowerment of Australian women. It comes despite the opposition's efforts to block and repeal many of Labor's measures. Labor is delivering better and more equal pay for Australian women.

The gender pay gap represents more than just a number. It reflects a range of deeply ingrained structural barriers that women face in the workforce, barriers that restrict our earning potential, limit our career opportunities and contribute to ongoing gender inequality. I recognise the connection between women's financial autonomy and their overall wellbeing. Financial independence is a key factor in ensuring a woman's safety and security. It gives them the power to make choices about their lives and their future. Closing the gender pay gap is key.

When Labor came into government in 2022 we promised to close the gender pay gap between men and women, and we are making significant progress. Recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that the gender pay gap is now the lowest on record. It fell from 14.1 per cent in May 2022 to it now being 11.5 per cent. That's significant. Under Labor, women's average weekly earnings have increased by $173. This isn't by chance. It is deliberate. It's by design. It's the result of real action and taking bold steps to break down barriers and make real progress. We have banned pay secrecy clauses, we have reformed the bargaining system, we have enforced transparent pay-gap reporting and we have delivered pay increases for aged-care and childcare workers, predominantly feminised industries. Our efforts to lift wages in sectors like aged care and child care, which are dominated by women, are absolutely helping. We have funded a 15 per cent wage increase for early childhood educators and care workers. This is a largely female workforce who have been, for far too long, underpaid for the essential work that they do.

We have also introduced better and fairer tax cuts. Labor's tax cuts have put more money in the pockets of 90 per cent of working women. We have also committed $1.1 billion over four years to pay superannuation on government funded paid parental leave from July 2025. This will ensure that women do not fall further behind than their male counterparts in securing their financial future simply because they took time out of the workforce to care for families.

In addition, we're investing $427 million to provide financial support for students for mandatory nursing, midwifery and social work placements. These are mostly staffed by women. By reducing the financial burden on them to do their placements we are making it financially easier and fairer for women to complete these important qualifications. We're also expanding paid parental leave to 26 weeks by July 2026, giving families more flexibility and more choice. We are working hard to increase women's participation in science, technology, engineering and maths by investing $38 million over eight years to foster a more diverse and skilled STEM workforce. We're also allocating $55 million over four years to establish the Building Women's Careers Program. By supporting women's progression in leadership roles, we are insuring that women indeed have a seat at the decision-making table.

In total, it is a comprehensive plan that is driving progress and demonstrates that women are at the heart of Labor's economic plan. I commend the government for its ongoing commitment to improving the lives of Australian women, making them fairer and more equal. This progress benefits everyone, not just women. It's good for men, it's good for families, it's good for the economy and it's good for our entire community. It's good news, but we know that the work is far from over.

See this speech in context