Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Before moving general business notice of motion No. 221, I also wish to add the names of Senators Rice and Waters to the motion. At the request of Senators Farrell, Green, Rice and Waters, I move:

That the Senate—

(a) recognises that, 40 years after the Matildas first took to the field to play in the World Women's Invitational Tournament in 1978, Football Federation Australia and Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) have delivered a new four-year collective bargaining agreement, which will see the Matildas and Socceroos receive an equal share of revenue, closing the pay gap between Australia's national football teams;

(b) notes that:

  (i) this agreement has been reached after the extensive collective bargaining efforts of female footballers through the PFA, and

  (ii) this is an important step in closing the gender pay gap in professional sport;

(c) notes the current gender pay gap for Australian women is 14% – a statistic which has only decreased by 5% over the past two decades; and

(d) calls on the Federal Government to do more to ensure Australian women are not worse off in any workplace.

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

All Australians can be proud of the amazing success of our female athletes. The last two years have seen landmark achievements for women in cricket, soccer, AFL, rugby, netball and basketball. We have seen improved pay and conditions for women in many sports, and record crowds are turning out to support our female athletes. The government believes that achieving sustainable pay requires buy-in across the entire sport ecosystem, which includes organisations, news, media, fans and broadcasters. The government is doing its bit by investing in initiatives to increase women's participation in sport through leadership programs; funding accessible, safe and inclusive sporting infrastructure; and boosting broadcasting of women's sport to help build audiences.

Question agreed to.