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

This government is strongly committed to supporting more women into leadership positions. We've expanded the successful Women's Leadership and Development Program and funded over 70 projects across Australia in both urban and regional areas that support around 50,000 women and girls into employment and leadership opportunities. Our Academy for Enterprising Girls, for example, is developing young women's skills in entrepreneurship and is now supporting over 6,300 students.

We're also leading by example. We are less than half a per cent away from our goal of having 50 per cent of women holding government board positions. We set that target and we will meet it. Under the Morrison government, the gender pay gap has narrowed to its lowest level on record, at 13.4 per cent. But I acknowledge and recognise that the impact of COVID-19 and consecutive lockdowns has impacted that figure. Continuing to narrow the gap and enhance women's leadership and equality remain our priorities.