Madonna Jarrett (Brisbane, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Women matter and their voices matter: that's what I heard growing up in a house full of seven girls and a brother. Mum was a true role model. She was a powerful voice on social justice issues in our community. I've been surrounded by women teachers, coaches, mentors and friends who guided me and lifted me when I needed it. But, despite this, I navigated a world that was built for men. This isn't a criticism at all; it's just a reflection of our society—the norms and the infrastructure that underpin it.

Women make up half our population, yet our issues were often misunderstood, dismissed or ignored. As I reflect on my decades of life, the good news is the world is changing in a very positive way. We know that women getting elected matters, because we can drive the change that women need from within. I want to say to all women across the country, and in Brisbane, that you matter, that the Labor government are listening and that we are delivering for you.

Australia's Women's Budget Statement is more than just a financial document; it's a reflection of what we value as a nation and how seriously we take gender equality. In fact, it was a Labor government that introduced the world's first Women's Budget Statement back in the 1980s, under the legendary prime minister Bob Hawke, and in 2022 the Albanese government brought it back.

For decades, women in Australia have faced structural barriers that impacted their financial security, career progression, health outcomes and retirement savings. Women are still more likely to undertake unpaid work, earn less over a lifetime, experience domestic violence and retire with significantly lower superannuation balances compared to men. But reforms and investments made since 2022 are already improving the lives of women across Australia and will continue to do so into the future, because of budgets like this.

Women's labour force participation reached a record high in 2025. The gender pay gap is at a historic low, at 11.5 per cent, and women's full-time average weekly earnings have grown by almost $300 a week since May 2022. That's an 18 per cent increase. Australia has achieved its highest ever international ranking for gender equality, up at 13th, up from 43rd only five years ago. These gains reflect deliberate choices to put gender equality at the centre of government decision-making.

The Women's Budget Statement exists because budgets are not gender neutral. We get it. This is our fifth Women's Budget Statement, and it reflects our sustained commitment to making gender equality a core economic priority. Every funding decision—it doesn't matter whether it's in health care, child care, taxation, housing or workforce policy—affects men and women differently. At their core, the women's budget statements have focused heavily on key areas such as affordable child care, paid parental leave, women's health, domestic and family violence prevention, housing security and workforce participation.

One of the most significant investments has been in early childhood education and child care. In December 2024, this Labor government took the steps towards universal child care, announcing a three-day childcare guarantee and $1 billion to build and expand childcare centres. Child care is not simply a family issue. It is a family issue, but it's also an economic issue. When childcare costs become unmanageable, women most often are the ones who reduce their working hours or leave the workforce entirely. This does not have to happen now. I look at Elly, a Brisbane local. She's recently had a baby. She's on government paid parental leave with a solid plan to get back into the workforce.

Another major focus has been paid parental leave and superannuation reforms. As I said, historically, caring responsibilities have disproportionately fallen on women. This results in less super in retirement. That is why the government introduced reforms which include changes to the low income superannuation tax offset, payment of superannuation on government funded paid parental leave, increases to the super guarantee and super being paid on payday.

The Women's Budget Statement also acknowledges the devastating national crisis of domestic violence, and ending it is a national priority. Men's violence against women remains distressing, and it's an unacceptable reality. Gender equality cannot be achieved without women being able to feel safe in their homes, in their workplaces, in their communities and online. The government is putting money into this. To support this, the government has invested more than $4.4 billion under the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children. I acknowledge comments made by those earlier in the House—there is more work to do. But, since that investment, 10,000 victims-survivors have received financial and other support through the Leaving Violence Program in its first five months of operation alone, an additional almost 500 frontline workers have been employed across Australia to support victims-survivors, and almost $1 billion has been invested in emergency accommodation, frontline services, legal support and prevention programs.

Investment in these services recognises that women's safety is fundamental to women's equality. Programs like these have helped Karen, a local Brisbane woman who was escaping domestic violence. She eventually found a place of her own where she was safe and she could live her life her way. She no longer has to ask when to use the washing machine. She can leave the dishes to tomorrow. She can live her life in her home in safety and security.

Importantly, though, this statement also highlights women's health. For too long, areas such as reproductive health, menopause, endometriosis and maternal care have all been underfunded and/or overlooked. The landmark 2025-26 budget women's health package strengthened Medicare to better support women at every stage of their life. It's already delivering real benefits, including cheaper medicines, more choice and expanded access to women's health services, all designed to improve women's health outcomes into the future. Some key outcomes are 33 specialist endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics; more than 380,000 women having access to new, cheaper contraceptives—and that's in the first year alone; 430,000 women having access to new menopausal therapies; and Australia's first national menopause awareness program, which will launch this year.

This is making a real difference in the lives of women. I was at o-week earlier this year, and a student who had no idea that her contraceptives will now be $7.70 literally jumped for joy when she heard the news. There was also a lady I met while doorknocking whose menopausal medicines are now covered by the PBS. She was so happy. She said to me: 'I can now afford those meds, and it means that I can now go outside. I feel confident enough to walk outside my front door.' These are real stories of real people doing better because of this Labor government's focus on women's health. This budget also continues investment in bulk-billing, Medicare urgent care clinics and mental health support, building on the progress already made to improve women's health care. Our increased funding in these areas represents progress towards a healthcare system that better reflects women's real experiences. However, while progress has been made, challenges do remain—we have to acknowledge that. Women continue to be overrepresented in low-paid industries such as nursing and aged care. The gender pay gap still exists. Housing affordability continues to disproportionately affect single mothers and older women. In fact, First Nations, migrant women, women with disabilities, women in rural and remote communities often face even greater challenges.

A women's budget statement should not simply celebrate announcements, though; it must hold governments to account. Real equality requires long-term investment, not short-term headlines. It requires recognising unpaid care work. It requires safe workplaces. It requires economic security and it requires policies designed with women, not merely for women. Ultimately, the success of a women's budget statement should not be measured just by the dollars allocated but by the outcomes achieved. Are women safer? Are women healthier? Are women more financially secure? Are women genuinely equal in opportunity or representation?

We are seeing encouraging results, but there is always more work to do. The majority-women Albanese government continues to invest in women, putting them and gender equality at the heart of Australia's economic plan, and making women's lives safer, fairer and more equal. When women and girls stand equal, families are stronger, workplaces are fairer, communities thrive and society becomes safer for everyone. This is not about doing something special for women at the expense of men; it's about building our society. We have more work to do, but I'm proud to be part of a Labor government who is delivering for women across Brisbane and Australia. Hear, hear.

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