Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Women) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Waters for her question. Senator Waters, I can assure you that, when I saw the data that was released today, I also was very disappointed by the data, but I am not going to agree with you in relation to this government not taking steps to actively reduce the gender pay gap. In terms of our commitment to gender equality and getting more women into the workforce—because we know that, if we can get more women into the workforce and, in particular, into those jobs where they can earn a comparable salary to a man—we will take steps towards reducing the gender pay gap.

One of the things that this government is focused on is removing those barriers that force women to make the choices they have to make as opposed to the choices they want to make, because institutional, cultural or structural barriers continue to exist. The government is able to pull some policy levers. Senator Waters, I am sure you are aware that one of those policy levers is in relation to child care. That is why we had the Productivity Commission review of child care—because as a government we understand that, if Australian women and men cannot access affordable, flexible child care, they are not going to be able to participate in the workforce. I am disappointed to say, though, Senator Waters, in relation to the measures we would like to implement, that they are stuck in the Senate, so at this point in time we are unable to offer to Australians the affordable and the flexible and the accessible child care that we want.

Senator Waters, in relation to the gender pay gap, again I am not about to make any excuses for it but, like me, I am sure you were pleased to note that the latest data coming out of WGEA saw the gender pay gap narrow ever so slightly from 17.9 per cent to 17.3 per cent. I am pleased it is trending in the right direction. (Time expired)