Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Stewart for the question and for her continuing interest in driving gender equality through the budget process. This government continues with that work in this budget. The Women's Budget Statement outlines the impact that budget measures have on women—backed by gender-responsive budgeting. We believe gender quality belongs at the centre of economic decision-making, not on the sidelines. This is our fifth Women's Budget Statement, the first of this term, and it reports on the significant progress we have made since 2022.

In relation to specific measures in the budget, this budget includes $182.6 million for the most significant child support reforms in nearly 20 years, including historic changes to reduce the weaponisation of the system and protect women from financial abuse. It also continues significant investment under the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children, including investments for funding Our Ways—Strong Ways, the first ever First Nations safety plan. Investment in the National Safety Plan now sits at more than $4.4 billion since 2022.

In relation to economic security, a woman on an average of $81,000 could be nearly $3,000 a year better off from 2027-28, including from the new Working Australians Tax Offset, which will benefit 6.3 million women, and also the Instant Tax Deduction Benefit, which will benefit around 6.2 million women, or 54 per cent of beneficiaries. This budget includes major investments in aged care and continued investment in Medicare, mental health, reproductive and maternal health, and menopause services and other services, including the ongoing funding of the Medicare urgent care clinics, which women are using at high rates.