Andrew Robb (Goldstein, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade and Investment) Share this | Hansard source

This is why we have had to do what we have done in the budget. This is the attitude they have taken for six years to the running of this country. They just see this as a game! It is a political game, not an exercise in ensuring good policy for the betterment of the Australian community.

In an attempt to answer the questions in the minute or two left: one of our priorities in our responsible, affordable, sustainable aid budget—sustainable aid budget—is the empowerment of women and girls in both an economic sense, in a leadership sense and in being against violence against women. We are strongly committed to increasing women's participation and leadership in our region.

The recent UN Women report found:

Limits on women’s participation in the workforce across the Asia-Pacific region cost the economy an estimated US$89 billion every year.

These barriers include a lack of access to basic education and health facilities.

Natasha Stott-Despoja's appointment as ambassador highlights the importance the government places on the position. Natasha is the ideal candidate, a former senator and head of a national foundation to prevent violence against women and children. Since her appointment, Ambassador Stott-Despoja has undertaken six international visits to advocate women's leadership, women's economic empowerment and empowerment against violence against women, including travelling to the Pacific shortly after her appointment. It included a visit to the United States to attend a UN Commission on the Status of Women. She recently represented Australia at the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict in the United Kingdom. This event was the largest ever global event aimed at stopping sexual violence in conflict.

As an official champion of this initiative, the foreign minister worked closely with the UK Foreign Secretary, William Hague, to prevent and to respond to sexual violence. To this end, the Australian government recently announced funding for programs in Afghanistan, Timor-Leste, Liberia and Uganda. The foreign minister also announced Australia's support for a case management centre in Papua New Guinea, a one-stop service and referral centre for survivors of family and sexual violence.

We place a very high priority on this issue, and notwithstanding the situation that we have been put into, to live within our means as a government so that we can have sustainable growth in the future which gives us the wherewithal to deliver effectively on this program and many others—despite that—we have elevated this issue to a level that is has never been at, and we will be effective in dealing with these problems. I am sorry that other members who asked questions have left the room.

Proposed expenditure agreed to.

Sitting suspended from 13:36 to 16:00

Employment Portfolio

Proposed expenditure, $2,024,096,000

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