Jane Hume (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and the Digital Economy) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Chandler for her question and for her enduring commitment to women's economic security, which reflects the enduring commitment of the Morrison government. In fact, the Morrison government's economic plan is clearly working. Today there are over one million more women in work than when we came to government. Let me say that again: today there are over one million more women in work under a coalition Liberal-National government. This is not something that happens by accident. It can only have been made possible because of the economic policies that have been put in place, intentionally, by this government. We currently have the highest women's employment-to-population ratio Australia has ever seen—more Australian women in work than ever before. Women's workforce participation is hovering at record levels and women's underemployment is steadily heading consistently down. All of this has been achieved with the background of a global pandemic.

Importantly, there are more opportunities for Australian women to work, to take up an apprenticeship, to upskill, to reskill, to start a business and to take on those better and higher-paying jobs than ever before. Our government's commitment to enhancing the economic security of Australian women extends well beyond economic management. In the 2020-21 budget, we made a landmark commitment and investment of $1.9 billion to improve the affordability of child care by increasing the child care subsidy for families with multiple children. For women who want to return to the workforce, to take on training, to study or to volunteer, the decision to take on the cost of child care is made more affordable.

But improving women's economic security is only part of the goal. On top of our economic— (Time expired)