Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Davey for her question. The improvement of women's economic security and supporting more women into leadership positions are key priorities for the Morrison government. The 2021-22 Women's Budget Statement includes a $38.3 million expansion, for example, of the successful Women's Leadership and Development Program that is funding innovative projects across Australia that support women into leadership roles, including—as I know Senator Davey recognises the importance of—in regional Australia. In the Morrison-Joyce cabinet, seven women hold cabinet positions, the highest number ever, including three of my colleagues here in the Senate, sitting with me today. Four additional positions in the ministry or the assistant ministry are also held by women. Those cabinet and ministry members are all members of the cabinet task force on women's safety and economic security.

We also support women's leadership in the public sector, including a 50 per cent target for women on Australian government board positions, and we are on track to meet those commitments. Our Women's Budget Statement also includes a $17 million investment to support world-class sporting events and development programs for women and girls in both football and basketball. We know that sport can be greatly beneficial to women's leadership—for players, for administrators, for coaches and for volunteers. We warmly welcome the FIFA Women's World Cup coming to Australia and New Zealand in 2023 and the Netball World Cup.

Across Australia, I note, importantly, the gender pay gap is at a record low level of 13.4 per cent, and we are committed to driving that even lower. I particularly want to welcome the leadership of the director of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, Mary Wooldridge. She will play a key role in that work in the coming months and years and she is highly regarded for her contribution in this area. (Time expired)