Kara Cook (Bonner, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

What a pleasure it is to speak today on this significant matter. It's also Queensland Women's Week this week. I am delighted to talk about International Women's Day, where we recognise the strength, resilience and achievements of women right across our country and the world. It is also an important moment to reflect on the barriers that women continue to face and the work that still lies ahead if we want to genuinely achieve equality. This year's theme is 'Balance the Scales', and it reminds us that progress towards equality requires collective effort. When governments, communities and individuals invest in women and girls, the benefits are felt right across families, workplaces and, indeed, the broader community.

International Women's Day is not just about celebration. It's also about honesty and acknowledging that, despite the progress we have made, women in Australia continue to experience inequality, discrimination and violence simply because of their gender. Addressing these issues requires sustained commitment, thoughtful policy and leadership at every level.

As a former domestic violence lawyer and CEO of Basic Rights Queensland, I have seen firsthand the impact that gender inequality and violence can have on women and their families. I've worked alongside women who have experienced profound hardship but who have also found incredible courage. I've also had the privilege of working with advocates, community organisations and frontline workers who dedicate their lives to ensuring that women are safe, respected and supported.

As the member for Bonner, I am proud of the Albanese Labor government, a government that has placed gender equality and women's safety at the centre of its agenda.

Last week, the Status of Women Report Card was released. This report provides an important annual assessment of the wellbeing of women in Australia. It examines the social, economic and safety outcomes experienced by women and evaluates how government policies and social attitudes are shaping progress towards equality. Importantly, the report provides insight into not only the progress that has been made but also the areas where challenges still remain.

There are some encouraging signs of progress. The report shows that the national gender pay gap continues to narrow and now sits at 11.5 per cent. While there is still work to be done, this represents a meaningful step forward and reflects the impact of policies designed to improve women's economic security. We are also seeing positive changes in caring roles within families. The report card highlights that more fathers are taking on primary caring responsibilities. In medium and large private-sector employers, men now account for 20 per cent of primary carer parental leave recipients, while 33 per cent of recipients of government funded paid parental leave are fathers or partners. That shift matters. Greater participation by men in caring roles supports gender equality at home and helps ensure women can pursue opportunities in education and, of course, the workforce.

The report also highlights progress in representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in highly skilled professional roles. More First Nations women are entering careers in fields such as health, education, environmental science and policy. This achievement reflects the strength and leadership of First Nations women and the importance of ensuring opportunities are accessible across all sectors. It also reflects that they have a genuine seat at the tables where decisions are being made.

Violence against women remains one of the most pressing issues facing our nation. We know that more than one woman a week was murdered last year in our country. Those murders have continued this year. The report also highlighted that nearly one in four women in Australia have experienced intimate partner violence since the age of 15. These figures remind us that gender based violence remains a national emergency. The report card also reveals the disproportionate impact of violence on First Nations women. First Nations women are 32 times more likely to be hospitalised and 11 times more likely to be murdered than non-Indigenous women. Women with a disability are also significantly more likely to experience violence from a current or former partner. Nearly two in three women with a disability will experience violence in their lifetime.

These findings reinforce an important truth: gender inequality intersects with other forms of inequality, and addressing violence requires targeted and sustained action. That is why the Albanese Labor government is delivering the $4 billion National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children. This plan represents the most comprehensive national strategy ever undertaken to address gender based violence. It includes significant investment in prevention, early intervention, crisis response and long-term recovery. It includes our commitment to 10 days of paid domestic and family violence leave, ensuring that victim-survivors can take time away from work to seek safety and support. We've invested $1 billion in funding for crisis and transitional housing, recognising that safe and accessible accommodation is critical for those leaving violent relationships. We need to stop asking the question, 'Why doesn't she leave?' and start asking, 'Where would she go?' That is also why the Leaving Violence Program has been made permanent, with $5,000 in financial support available for women escaping violence.

The government has also taken action to ensure that government debts cannot be used as a further tool of financial abuse, recognising the complex way in which perpetrators exert control. Importantly, the Status of Women Report Card highlights that violence is evolving. Technology is increasingly being used to monitor, harass and control women. Our government has taken steps to criminalise deepfake pornography and image based abuse, with penalties of up to six years in prison, and to regulate online platforms through the eSafety Commissioner.

Women's health is another area where targeted action is critical. For too long, women's health had been under-researched, underfunded and under-recognised. The Albanese Labor government's women's health package is seeking to remedy that—an almost $800 million investment designed to address these gaps. This investment will help ensure that women and girls can access the health care they need throughout their lives. This includes improving access to contraception, reproductive health care, menopause support and specialist services. The Status of women report card highlights the importance of ensuring women can access health care that reflects their specific needs. Access to appropriate health care is not simply a medical issue; it is a matter of equity, dignity and also economic participation.

Gender equality cannot be achieved without economic equality. The Status of women report card also highlights that workforce segregation remains a persistent challenge, with four in five Australians working in occupations dominated by either men or women. This segregation contributes directly to the gender pay gap and limits opportunities for women across many industries. That is why the Albanese Labor government is taking practical steps to support women's economic security. That includes pay increases for workers in feminised industries such as aged care, early childhood, education and health care. These are essential professions that have historically been undervalued despite the critical role they play in our society.

Through free TAFE, more women are also entering industries traditionally dominated by men. Women commencing trade apprenticeships have increased by more than 30 per cent, and almost 60 per cent of free TAFE students are women. These programs are helping to expand career pathways and break down barriers. In my electorate of Bonner, I've met many women who are forging new paths in emerging industries. One example is Zaahra, an apprentice at the Tesla workshop in Mount Gravatt who is supported through the government's new energy apprenticeship scheme. As one of only a small number of female apprentices nationally within the organisation, she is helping demonstrate that careers in advanced manufacturing and clean energy are open to women. Her story reflects the broader change that is occurring across the country.

Our government has also expanded and extended paid parental leave to 26 weeks and ensured that superannuation is paid on that leave, recognising that caring responsibility should not come at the expense of women's long-term financial security. The Status of women report card shows that meaningful change is possible when governments, communities and individuals work together, but it reminds us that equality is not inevitable. The persistence of gender based violence, the ongoing gender pay gap and the barriers women face in workplaces and communities show there is still much work to be done.

International Women's Day reminds us that the pursuit of equality is not only about improving outcomes for women and girls; it's about building a fairer, stronger and more inclusive Australia for everyone. As the member for Bonner, I am committed to continuing this fight.

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