Claire Chandler (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Women's Economic Security, Senator Hume. Can the minister update the Senate on how the Liberal and Nationals government is supporting the economic prosperity of Australian women as we reopen the economy?

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

Slade Brockman (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Chandler, a supplementary question?

Claire Chandler (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can the minister outline to the Senate how the government is securing the economic future of Australian women?

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

Yes, I can. Let's be clear: from skills to child care, from leadership to board appointments and, most importantly, job opportunities, we are backing Australian women to get the choices and chances that they deserve, that we deserve. Australian women can rest assured that this government's economic plan will maximise opportunities as we continue to recover from the pandemic. I can certainly promise you, Mr President, that we won't be slugging them with higher taxes. We won't be proposing a retiree tax, for instance, damaging their retirement savings. We certainly won't be bringing in $387 billion of new or higher taxes, smashing their jobs and robbing women of opportunities. While the child care subsidy is currently up to 95 per cent for those families with two or more children who want to work, study or volunteer, we certainly won't be bringing in free child care for millionaires while regular women work longer hours to pay the taxes to pay for such a scheme.

Slade Brockman (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Chandler, a second supplementary question?

Claire Chandler (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr President. Can the minister explain the importance of a collaborative approach across government and industry in reducing barriers to improve women's economic security?

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

The Morrison government recognises that improving measures like the gender pay gap requires a commitment and a targeted policy and a partnership between industry and between government, between the private sector and all levels of government. But before I talk about what's ahead let's talk about what's in the rear-view mirror. There was a 17.4 per cent gender pay gap when we came to office; now it's 14.2 per cent.

But there's more to do; there's no doubt about that. As a government, we believe in policies that actually shift the dial—policies not put in place for show, like your policy to give millionaires free child care, but policies with genuine substance. That's why the Women's Budget Statement this year committed to a full review of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency to determine how government can further work alongside the private sector to collectively close the gender pay gap. The Gender Equality Act requires that employers with more than 100 employees report to the— (Time expired)