Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Women, Senator Payne. On Monday the government announced it was going to force parents to start paying some of the most expensive childcare fees in the world. When was the minister informed? Did anyone ask the minister's opinion about the impact on women?

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

I thank Senator McAllister for her question. Obviously, I don't go into matters of deliberation between members of the cabinet, but the senator can be assured that those matters she has raised are a decision of the government.

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

Senator McAllister, a supplementary question?

Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Women's workforce participation has dropped 50 per cent more than men's since COVID-19. Why does the Minister for Women believe that forcing more women out of the workforce through expensive childcare fees will help Australians recover from the first recession in 29 years?

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

The senator can try to put words in my mouth, but she actually can't do it. She cannot assert that I said or believe something I did not say, so let's start with that. And then let's acknowledge—and you may not wish to, Senator McAllister, because it doesn't suit your narrative—that this country is dealing with one of the most extraordinary challenges in generations since the Second World War. What this government has done every step of the way is take responsible, careful and considered steps about the way to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. That includes starting from the base at which Australian women's workforce participation—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

Order on my left!

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

was at the highest recorded level under this government. We absolutely acknowledge that. We absolutely acknowledge the importance of that and we absolutely acknowledge the importance of addressing women's workforce participation— (Time expired)

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

Order on my left! I'm having trouble hearing the minister's response. I don't like to have to talk over ministers to continually call the chamber to order. Senator McAllister, a final supplementary question?

Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Over 40 per cent of Australian families using child care have had at least one parent's income reduced as a consequence of COVID-19. Did the minister advocate for those families to her colleagues? What does the minister say to families who won't be able to afford child care after the government snaps back to the old high-fee system?

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

I always advocate for Australians in my work, no matter what part of my portfolio responsibilities we're talking about. But you know, Senator McAllister, and those opposite know that the response to the COVID-19 pandemic has required extraordinary things of Australia and of Australians. It has required the government to put in place a temporary childcare package, because we saw the sector facing unprecedented challenges that led it to the brink of collapse. Through those efforts we have ensured that the sector is able to continue functioning and that child care has been available for those who have needed it during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic. But, because we have made some considerable achievements in flattening the curve, which we as a nation should be very proud of, we have the capacity to see our life and our economy returning to normal. The government will take considered steps in the response to that process as we need to to ensure that we can rebuild our economy and rebuild our country. (Time expired)