Janet Rice (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Before moving general business notice of motion No. 16, I ask that the name of Senator Green be added to the motion. I, and also on behalf of Senators Waters and Green, move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes:

(i) the recent dominant performances of Australian women across a range of international sports, including:

(A) Ms Ashleigh Barty has been ranked No. 1 in singles by the international Women's Tennis Association, the first Australian woman to reach the top of the world tennis rankings since Ms Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1976,

(B) Ms Hannah Green secured a win in the Women's PGA Championship, becoming the third Australian woman to win a golfing major title after Ms Karrie Webb and Ms Jan Stephenson,

(C) Ms Sally Fitzgibbons was crowned surfing world No. 1 after beating Ms Carissa Moore in the final of World Surf League's Rio Pro in Brazil,

(D) The Matildas reached the Round of 16 in the Women's Football World Cup in France, with captain Ms Sam Kerr becoming the first Australian to score four goals in a World Cup game, and

(E) Australia's women's eight crew won gold at the Rowing World Cup in Poland,

(ii) that there continue to be significant barriers to equality in women's sport, including huge pay and prize money disparity, lack of investment in and access to facilities and sporting grounds, and structural barriers including sexism, transphobia, intersexism and lack of media coverage, and

(iii) that interest in women's sport is increasing and female athletes are inspiring a whole new generation of children - equality in sport will benefit our economy, communities and athletes and help to address cultural issues that prevent women from being equally valued in our society;

(b) congratulates and thanks all these women for their dedication to excellence, and for the inspiration they provide to women and girls across Australia; and

(c) calls on the Federal Government to encourage and facilitate women's participation in sport, particularly in traditionally male-dominated sports, as players, coaches and leaders, by appropriately investing in facilities and promoting pay, prize money, and broadcast equity.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government congratulates the recent achievements of Australian women across a range of international sports. As a government we're investing significant resources in supporting rapid growth in women's sport across Australia. Recently, the Morrison government announced an investment of $150 million to support the development of female change rooms at sporting grounds and swimming facilities. This will drastically improve the state of women's sporting facilities across the country.

In addition, our government is backing the bid to host the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2023 and we have made investments to boost women's participation in women's tennis and netball. Finally, through the Women Leaders in Sport program, we are providing support across the sports' sector in order to develop opportunities for women to reach their leadership potential.

Question agreed to.