Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to give reply to be women's budget statement, and I do so deeply disappointed on behalf of the women of Australia, women who have gone backwards after three years of Labor, women who have been put under financial pressure and strain, women who have been failed by this weak Prime Minister—a Prime Minister who has had the wrong priorities and who has broken promise after promise. The fact is this government has failed to deliver a budget that will restore Australians' lost standard of living and failed to restore women to where they were just three years ago.

Labor's budget is a budget for the next five weeks, not the next five years. They offered up a cruel hoax tax cut that won't touch the sides of Australians that are worse off under Labor. Our country is facing serious economic challenges, the toughest in a generation, and our living standards have suffered the biggest collapse on record. When a government fails to manage the economy, it is women who hurt the hardest, because, sadly, it is women who face economic hardship at greater rates. The coalition, when we were in government, put in place policies to back women and their aspirations. Under the strong economic management of the coalition we put in place the conditions for women to succeed. That strong economic management meant we had money to fund important policies that made a difference for the women of Australia. Because we balanced the budget we were able to deliver landmark funding of $5.5 billion for women through our two women's budget statements. Under the coalition, women's workforce participation hit record highs. Women were earning more and women's unemployment was at its lowest level since 1974, with a gender pay gap that was narrowing. The coalition took strong action on the issue of women's safety, women's economic security and women's health. We expect that to be continued.

The fact is, from when we entered government in 2013 to when we handed over the reins, women and girls were better off. We left women more empowered and more financially secure. These were the strong foundations which this Labor government should have been able to build from. And yet what have we seen? Government changed hands in May 2022, people voted for Anthony Albanese, women voted for Labor on the proviso that they would be better off, and they are just not. Food is up at least 13 per cent. Rent up 18 per cent. Health costs are up and insurance up 35 per cent. Energy prices are rising. We have seen women go backwards under Labor. We've seen more older women queueing at food banks. We've seen single mother sleeping in their cars with their children. We've seen women take on the load of strained family budgets. We've seen women working more and more and falling further and further behind. We've seen women go backwards under Labor.

I urge Labor to show me the women who are better off after three years of this government. Show me one woman with a lower cost of living or a more affordable mortgage. Show me one woman with lower rents or lower power bills. Show me a small-business owner who has it easier today than when Labor took office. Show me a community that is safer today than just three years ago. We've seen violence against women increase and we've seen slow delivery of critical policies like the promised 500 domestic violence frontline workers. No, the women of Australia are not better off after three years of Labor. Women have been the collateral damage for this government's incompetence, because it is inevitably women who face the consequences most acutely of economic deterioration and it is women who bear the horrific cost of violence in our communities.

The truth is the women of Australia cannot afford another three years of Labor. Only a Dutton government will build a strong economy and get Australia back on track. We have a plan to deliver low inflation, cheaper energy, affordable housing, safer communities and better health care. Health has become yet another victim of Labor's cost-of-living crisis for women.

I understand many women will be looking closely at women's health policy and they will want to have confidence that the government they choose at the next election will ensure their health care and deliver better outcomes for women and girls across this country. When they do, I want them to understand that on the issue of women's health the opposition will deliver you more support when it comes to your health care. I want women to hear me say that we will support, advance and safeguard women's health care. As a coalition, we will continue to represent the interests of women on the opposition benches—and, if we are elected, in the cabinet room. We are stepping up and stepping in here, because it has never been harder or more expensive for Australian women to access the health care they need.

In just a few days time 15 million Australians with private health insurance will awake to yet another cost-of-living hit under Labor. In the middle of a cost-of-living crisis the Albanese government's private health insurance premium increase will come into effect on 1 April this year. With an average of 3.73 per cent, this cost hike is above the rate of inflation. Prices continued to go up at a rapid rate for hardworking Australian families, and Labor's private health hike will now add further pressure on household budgets.

This is but one example. Labor's mismanagement covers all corners of our system. The coalition are committed to ensuring women across Australia have access to affordable, quality health care that understands their needs and experiences. The coalition has a proud record of supporting women's health, and this remains our strong priority. We do support the women's health measures included in the budget because they're an expansion of the historic work undertaken by the former coalition government in supporting women's health. Our package builds on historic investment into critical women's health issues, like endometriosis, spearheaded by the member for Forrest and the Liberal candidate for Boothby, Nicolle Flint, and we will deliver even more. We wholeheartedly support Australian women, who experience the often debilitating impacts of menopause, and the coalition is committed to delivering the Medicare rebate for menopause health assessments, funding to train health professionals, the development of new clinical guidelines and a national awareness campaign ensuring women have the information they need and the support they deserve.

Mental health is always a priority for the women of Australia, but it isn't a priority for the Albanese government. Only a Dutton coalition government will make mental health a national priority and ensure all Australians, especially young Australians, have access to the affordable mental health services and support they need and deserve. A Dutton coalition government will listen to women, who have asked us to restore the number of Medicare subsidised mental health session that Australians can access from 10 back to 20 on a permanent basis.

Our support for women doesn't stop there. We will invest $5 million to guarantee cheaper medicines and targeted health care for women through a review of the MBS and PBS. We'll also provide $4 million to Ovarian Cancer Australia for specialist cancer nurses to support Australians with ovarian cancer, the deadliest cancer affecting women. No Australian woman or her family should have to battle this insidious cancer alone.

Women should never have to choose between their health and their financial stability. The coalition is focused on ensuring women have access to affordable and timely health care that's better tailored to their needs and experiences. Women are worse off today after three years of a Labor government. They are poorer and they are working more, but they're falling further behind. It has been a tough three years for the women of Australia, and they deserve better than what they have faced. Labor's cost-of-living crisis is forcing Australians to make difficult decisions about their health—decisions no Australian should have to make. More families are being forced to delay or avoid refilling scripts or seeing their GP because they just can't afford to under Labor.

Whether it's balancing the family budget or seeking medical support, women will be better off under a coalition government. We have a positive plan to get Australia back on track, and we will do everything we can to support the security of the women of Australia and back them to achieve their aspirations. I thank the House.

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