Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I, and also on behalf of Senator Moore, move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes:

(i) the current gender pay gap of approximately 17.5 per cent in Australia,

(ii) recognition by industry of the need to address the gender pay gap,

(iii) support by key industry figures for current gender equality reporting requirements within Schedule 1 of the Workplace Gender Equality (Matters in relation to Gender Equality Indicators) Instrument 2013 (the Instrument) under the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012,

(iv) the Government's deferral of increases to gender equality reporting matters by delaying the commencement of Schedule 2 of the Instrument in order to consult industry, and

(v) that such consultation on gender equality reporting requirements is currently underway; and

(b) calls on the Government to retain the existing gender equality reporting requirements contained in Schedule 1 of the Instrument.

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Alan Ferguson (SA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The coalition is proud of its achievements for the advancement of gender equality. It was, after all, the former Howard government which passed laws in 1999 to create reporting requirements and establish the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency. When Mr Abbott was workplace relations minister, the gender pay gap in Australia was at 15.3 per cent. Under the former Gillard government, it rose to 17.5 per cent. It currently stands at 17.1 per cent. Actions speak so much louder than words.

The government is also proposing a fair dinkum Paid Partial Leave scheme, holding a childcare review by the Productivity Commission and fleshing out individual flexibility arrangements to allow for working women to better balance their work and family needs. The government is genuinely interested in ensuring that we get the balance right on gender reporting, which is why we are currently engaging in wide-ranging consultations with employers, employees, their representatives and other stakeholders. The government opposes this motion.

Question agreed to.